Investigation of Voice Disorder Symptoms and their Effects on the Job Performance of Elementary School Teachers

Background: Teachers are prone to Voice Disorder (VD). The present study aims to investigate the onset of VD symptoms and their effects on the job performance of the elementary school teachers. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 121 male and female elementary school teachers in Mobarakeh County during the academic year 2018-2019. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. In doing so, the researchers talked to 10 people composed of qualified experts in occupational health, ergonomics, and health education and a number of teachers about how to design the questions as well as the answer scale for each section. Results: In the present study, the prevalence of VD was higher among female teachers (41%) compared to male ones (20%). That is to say, the prevalence of the VD symptoms in female teachers was more than twice that of the male teachers. The study results demonstrated a significant relationship between having a silent resting place and coughing (p=0.028). Accordingly, the prevalence of the symptoms of cough was significantly higher in the teachers who did not have a silent resting place in comparison to those who benefitted from a quiet resting place. Conclusion: Thus, it is recommended that safety, occupational health, and ergonomic programs should be designed for teachers at the Ministry of Education in collaboration with concerned specialists. Periodic examinations, identification of teachers with disorders, culturalization, and education are among the themes of these programs.