Vocal Problems: Teachers’ Attitudes and Healthseeking Behavior

Abstract

Objective: Teachers are at high risk for vocal disorders due to their intrinsic occupational requirements. Numerous studies have reported on the prevalence and risk factors. Less is known about teachers’ ideas and attitudes. We aimed to explore teachers’: 1) attitudes towards voice problems and 2) health seeking behavior. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted by cluster sampling method across 6 primary schools in Singapore in 2008. 214 full time teachers were recruited. Self-administered questionnaires were answered during each school’s teachers meeting after informed consent. Results: A total of 89.9% of teachers agree that losing one’s voice is an occupational hazard. A total of 92.8% agree that their profession depends on the health of their voices. A total of 79.6% think that attending voice workshops will help to prevent voice problems. A total of 65.4% have had taken medical leave for voice problems in the past 12 months, of which 9.3% of them had taken 6 days or more of leave. A total of 81.7% consulted a general practitioner, 3.6% an otolaryngologist, 0% a speech therapist, and 14.8% others. Conclusion: The surveyed teachers have very similar demographics compared with the national teaching population and are hence broadly representative. The results showed that teachers do value their voices and deem them essential for carrying out their professional duties. Productivity losses to the education system and emotional losses are real entities.