Self-reported voice disorders of teachers and indoor air quality in schools: a cross-sectional study in Finland - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Self-reported voice disorders of teachers and indoor air quality in schools: a cross-sectional study in Finland

Authors: Vertanen-Greis Hanna, Löyttyniemi Eliisa, Uitti Jukka, Putus Tuula

Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology

Journal name in source: LOGOPEDICS PHONIATRICS VOCOLOGY

Journal acronym: LOGOP PHONIATR VOCO

Volume: 48

Issue: 1

First page : 1

Last page: 11

Number of pages: 11

ISSN: 1401-5439

eISSN: 1651-2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14015439.2021.1953132

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/14015439.2021.1953132

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66917103

Abstract

Objective We aimed to study the association between self-reported voice disorders among teachers and indoor air quality in school buildings. Methods We performed a questionnaire study of 538 Finnish teachers working in 67 school buildings utilizing both perceived and technical evaluations; the agreement between these two assessments was also studied. The technical assessment was provided by technical experts. Results Teachers with voice disorders reported significantly more complaints from indoor air than those without voice disorders. The results also indicated a possible connection between the technical assessment and voice disorders. After adjustment for sex, stress and asthma, the prevalence of voice disorders was 47% higher in teachers working in renovated buildings compared to those working in the non-problem buildings (aRR1.47; CI 95% 1.11-1.95). The prevalence of voice disorders was 28% higher among teachers working in buildings with problems compared to those working in non-problem buildings (aRR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99-1.64). Discussion In our study, poor perceived indoor air was significantly associated with self-reported voice disorders in teachers and there was an agreement between the perceived and technical assessments. Our results also indicated a possible connection between the technical assessment and voice disorders. Our results imply the need for longitudinal research with technical assessment to study the effect of renovation on voice disorders.

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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by Juho Vainion Säätiö; Työsuojelurahasto.