The Prevalence of Voice Disorders in Secondary School Teachers in South west Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Voice disorders are one of the major occupational hazards of school teachers.This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of voice disorders and identify possibleassociated risk factors amongsecondary school teachers. Method: A 25-item questionnaire was administered to 143 secondary school teachers from six schools in Ilishan Remo area of western Nigeria. Result: Out of 143 teachers, 89 (62.2%-45 males and44 females) reported voiceproblems without any significant difference in both sexes. The most frequent voice change was low voice (39%).Most voice disorders weremanaged at home (39%)Demographic, work related factors, healthand behavioral risk factors had little or no visible effect on the prevalence of voice disorders. Conclusion: Voice disordersposessignificant threat to the health and profession of secondary school teachers. The demographic, work related variables and health /behavioral risk factors associated with voice disorders in prior studies were not significantin this study.