Prevalence and factors of vocal symptoms amongst school teachers in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Teaching is an occupation that mainly relies on one to use one's voice as a tool. Hence, teachers are at a greater risk than most for developing a voice disorder. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors of vocal symptoms among schoolteachers. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 318 teachers and a self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data over six months. The chi-square test was used to assess the association. Logistic regression was used to determine the degree of association. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Informed consent was taken from all participants, and ethics approval was obtained from the International Review of Boards Committee. Results: 77.4% of the teachers suffered from vocal difficulties during their teaching careers. Years of teaching, class size, and behavioral factors such as stress, exerting extra muscular pressure while talking, speaking in a loud tone, weather conditions, and health conditions such as tonsillitis were significantly associated with the prevalence of vocal symptoms in teachers. Conclusions: The prevalence of vocal symptoms was found to be very high. It was directly proportionate to the number of years of teaching; behavioral factors such as talking loudly, being stressed while teaching, and applying extra pressure on the neck muscles and weather conditions all impacted acquiring vocal symptoms.