Dysphonia in School Teachers: An Occupational Risk Concern?

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Speech and Hearing Science

Background:

• School teachers face significant occupational risks for dysphonia (voice disorders).
• Current recognition and benefits for teachers with occupational dysphonia are insufficient.
• Objective quantification of dysphonia in teachers is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of dysphonia among school teachers in Kerala.
• To determine if dysphonia in teachers can be classified as an occupational health issue.
• To identify risk factors associated with dysphonia in this population.

Main Methods:

• A statewide, cross-sectional survey utilizing a questionnaire.
• The questionnaire included questions on risk factors and subjective handicap scoring for dysphonia.
• Statistical analysis, including Odds Ratio calculation, was performed on data from 4014 teachers.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of dysphonia: 46.96% currently, 47.88% in the past year, and 66.02% at some point in their careers.
• Significant associations found between dysphonia and risk factors including school management, teaching level (grades 5-12), years of service (>20 years), and subject taught (social science).
• Odds ratio calculations confirmed increased risk for specific teacher demographics.

Conclusions:

• Dysphonia is highly prevalent among school teachers in Kerala, supporting its designation as an occupational health issue.
• Identified risk factors, some region-specific, highlight the need for targeted interventions.
• The study provides substantial evidence to advocate for policy changes and support for affected teachers.