Dysphonia Screening in Firefighters and Associated Factors

To verify the likelihood of dysphonia in firefighters and its relationship with individual and occupational factors and mental health.

This cross-sectional observational study with 442 firefighters collected data on sociodemographic, occupational, and lifestyle aspects and screening for common mental disorders (CMD). Individuals were divided into two groups: those slightly likely and those moderately/highly likely to have dysphonia, according to the Brazilian Dysphonia Screening Tool. The questionnaire's items addressed their sex, age, race, marital status, education, work schedule, administrative or field activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and CMD. Those who answered "yes" to the question about having a hoarse voice were considered to have dysphonia with an indication for clinical voice assessment. The suspicion of a CMD was measured with the SRQ-20 Self Report Questionnaire. Data were subjected to descriptive and association analysis. Statistical tests were performed assuming a significance level of 5%.

The moderate/high likelihood of dysphonia was 6.12%. Most firefighters were males (90.31%), aged over 30 (52.47%), multiracial (44.39%), living with a partner (61.39%), and with a bachelor's or higher degree (42.35%). Individuals self-declared as Black or multiracial had a higher percentage of dysphonia (8.10%). Black and multiracial individuals were approximately 2.5 times more likely to pass the dysphonia screening than Whites and other races. Individuals with symptoms of CMD were also 2.7 times as likely to have dysphonia.

The results of the study show that Black and multiracial firefighters and those with symptoms of CMD were moderately/highly likely to have dysphonia. Firefighters with the highest likelihood of having dysphonia are indicated for clinical voice assessment to confirm the diagnosis.