Epidemiology of Voice Disorders among Male School Teachers in Khamis Mushayt City, Saudi Arabia

Background: A teacher with voice disorders is displaying a form of limitation in the teaching activity. Aims & Objective: To assess the magnitude of voice disorders among teachers and to identify the possible risk factors associated with voice disorders. Material and Methods: A total of 380 teachers were included. The researcher developed a questionnaire for data collection which comprised personal characteristics and symptoms of voice complaints during the last scholastic year. The Voice Handicap Index was used for assessment of voice and its effects on the life of a teacher. Results: Most teachers experienced voice related symptoms during the last year (80.9%). Some had 1-2 symptoms (43.2%) while others had more than two symptoms (37.6%). The most frequent voice-related symptoms were dry throat (42.1%), sore throat (33.5%) and hoarseness of voice (32.9%). More than one third of teachers consulted a physician for their voice-related problems (35%). Moderate to serious severity of voice handicap index were reported by 8.2% of the teachers. There was an increasing prevalence of moderate to severe grade of voice handicap according to age group (p=0.004). Practice of non-healthy habits (e.g., smoking of cigarette, sheesha or moaassal and qat chewing) was associated with significantly higher prevalence of moderate to severe grade of voice handicap (p<0.001 for each). There was an increasing prevalence of moderate to severe grade of voice handicap according to experience in teaching (p=0.013). Teachers’ workload was significantly associated with grade of voice handicap (p=0.047). There was a higher prevalence of moderate to severe grade of voice handicap with depression and anxiety (p=0.009 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Most teachers have voice related symptoms. The most frequently reported voice-related symptoms are dry throat, sore throat and hoarseness of voice. More than one third of the teachers consult a physician for their voicerelated problems. Moderate to severe voice handicap index are experienced by 8.2% of teachers. Risk factors associated with moderate to severe grade of voice handicap are old age, practice of non-healthy habits (e.g., smoking of cigarette, sheesha or moaassal and qat chewing), longer experience in teaching, higher teachers’ workload and presence of psychological disorders. KEY-WORDS: Voice Disorders; Occupational Exposure; Teachers; Voice Handicap Index