Risk factors causing voice problems in primary school teachers in Semnan, Iran

Voice problem is a condition among primary school teachers, which may not only affect their social and emotional relationship with students, also the quality of their education and occupation. Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess the risk factors causing voice problems in primary school teachers, those with or without voice problems. 243 questionnaires were distributed among primary school teachers. Based on their vocal complaints, they were divided into two groups of with and without voice problems. Risk factors for vocal problems related to occupation and medical profiles and life style were statistically compared between two groups, using Chi-square and Fisher tests and uni-variate and multi-variate logistic regressions. The results showed that sex, marital status, employment history, loudness of voice, dust in class, drug use, esophageal reflux, anxiety, allergies, hormonal disorders and larynx surgery were possible causes of suffering from vocal disorders in teachers (P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression also showed that the habit of speaking loud, anxiety and allergies were the most potent risk factors (with the order of 4.3 and 3 times) in developing voice problems. Based on this study, since the habit of speaking loud, anxiety and allergies are the most important risk factors in developing the voice problems among primary school teachers, it seems essential that the education providing authorities and speech therapists to be aware of these hazards and provide a proper management plan to control and minimize the environmental and personal risk factors causing vocal problems in school teachers.