Prevalence and Risk Factors of Benign Laryngeal Lesions among Teachers

Abstract

Introduction: Subjects using their voice as the main professional instrument often develop vocal disorders. Teachers present a high prevalence of vocal problems in comparison to other professional categories depending on their voice as professional tool; voice changes could be assigned to the interaction between occupational (vocal loading), behavioral and lifestyle factors. Voice disorders due to professional overuse are usually chronic and can lead to an increase in sick absenteeism. Aim of work: To determine the prevalence of abnormal laryngeal findings among public-school teachers in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt using strobovideolaryngoscopy. Materials and methods: A case-control nested into a cross-sectional study was held from March 1 st to May 1 st , 2019. The sample is composed of four hundred and fifty-seven (457) teachers of public schools in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Results: The prevalence of vocal lesions among the studied group was 22.1% with (17.79-26.41) 95% confidence interval. On stroboscopic evaluation, vocal nodules were the most common structural lesion affecting the larynx; it was present in 42 (9.1%) of teachers. Other structural abnormalities included the presence of swollen arytenoids, vocal cords paresis, vocal polyps, vocal cord cyst, and epiglottic mass in a percentage of (5.9, 3.7, 1.7, 1.1, 0.4) respectively. There was higher prevalence of vocal cord lesions among older teachers with increase duration of employment/years, number of classes /days, smokers and teachers of primary school; although it didn't show statistically significant difference. A significant relationship was reported between laryngoscopic findings and