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Prevalence And Factors Associated With Dysphonia In Military Police Officers
Stephanie Mayra Natale Moraes1, Letícia Caldas Teixeira2, Adriane Mesquita de Medeiros2
1Postgraduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Alfredo Balela, 190, Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of the Voice Foundation
|August 12, 2026
Summary
A study found a low prevalence of dysphonia in military police officers. Key risk factors for voice problems include being male, taking time off work for vocal issues, and needing to shout over loud workplace noise.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
Background:
- Dysphonia, or voice disorders, can significantly impact quality of life and professional duties.
- Military police officers are exposed to unique occupational stressors that may affect vocal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of dysphonia among military police officers.
- To identify sociodemographic, health, and occupational factors associated with dysphonia in this population.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 482 military police officers in a Brazilian capital.
- Data were collected using an online questionnaire and the Dysphonia Screening Tool (Br-DST).
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact test, and multinomial logistic regression.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of moderate and high probability of dysphonia was 5.4% and 3.9%, respectively.
- Male sex was associated with lower odds of high probability dysphonia (OR = 0.342).
- Absence from work due to voice problems (OR = 8.621) and frequently raising the voice due to workplace noise (OR = 3.130) were associated with higher odds of high probability dysphonia.
Conclusions:
- Dysphonia prevalence was low in the studied military police population.
- Factors linked to a higher likelihood of dysphonia include male sex, work absence for voice issues, and vocal loudness in noisy environments.
- Findings underscore the need for vocal health monitoring and preventive measures in police work environments.
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