"King archie, who was quite grouchy" - a vocal dysphonia health education project

Abstract

Purpose: one major cause of dysphonia can be linked to the presence of vocal folds nodules - a condition commonly seen in children due to vocal misuse and/or vocal abuse. The present health education project, also directed to parents and educators, aims at making children (the project's chief target-population) aware of how to make a correct use of their voice. Method: the target population includes parents, educators and children from both sexes and aged between five and eight years old. Result: a health education initiative was developed, which main instrument consists in a children's literature book, supplemented by an interactive CD. The instrument relies on a simple and easy-to-follow story where the issue of child dysphonia is addressed. Conclusions: the developed health education instrument is substantial for its chief target-population; it works as a suitable vehicle for promoting, in children, access, sensibility and awareness regarding aspects of one's voice one should be attentive to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]