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Prevalence and risk factors for voice problems in priests
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia. irena.hocevar@kclj.si
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|June 30, 2009
Summary
A high prevalence of voice problems affects Catholic priests, with respiratory infections being a common cause. Risk factors include frequent throat clearing and lack of vocal training, highlighting the need for voice care education.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Laryngology
- Public health
Background:
- Professional voice users, such as clergy, are susceptible to voice disorders due to high vocal load.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for voice problems in Catholic priests is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of voice problems among Catholic priests in Slovenia.
- To identify specific risk factors contributing to voice disorders in this professional group.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to 600 randomly selected Catholic parish priests and vicars in Slovenia.
- Data collected included voice problem prevalence, causes, vocal load, habits, and relevant medical history.
- Analysis involved 340 priests, comparing subgroups with and without frequent voice disorders, and those over 64.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of voice problems was reported, with 85.6% of priests experiencing issues during their careers.
- Frequent voice problems affected 15.9% of the participants; respiratory-tract infection was the most common cause.
- Identified risk factors for frequent voice problems included frequent throat clearing, high vocal load during leisure, prior voice training issues, and lack of vocal technique instruction.
Conclusions:
- Voice disorders are highly prevalent in Slovenian Catholic priests, often linked to respiratory infections.
- Key risk factors identified are allergies, frequent throat clearing, inadequate vocal training, and poor vocal hygiene.
- Recommendations include pre-training ENT examinations and integrating voice care education into the standard curriculum for high-risk professions.
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