Desvantagem vocal: fatores associados a professores de ensino fundamental e médio de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Among the professional categories that use their voices, teachers are particularly prone to developing work-related voice disorders (WRD). The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with voice handicap in teachers in the Minas Gerais State school system and to provide pedagogical guidance and vocal counseling, producing a podcast for teachers, with free access. This study is part of the project: "Health and Work Conditions of Basic Education Teachers in the State of Minas Gerais: Cohort Study - ProfsMinas Project." The research was epidemiological, cross-sectional, and analytical. Data collection was conducted between October 26 and December 31, 2021, when teachers were returning to in-person activities after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the mandatory use of face masks. Google Forms was used, with thematic areas grouped into blocks (sociodemographic and occupational factors, behavioral habits, health conditions). The Vocal Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) was used as the outcome variable. The association with the exposure variables was verified by hierarchical binary logistic regression. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 26.0. A total of 1,782 teachers actively teaching participated in the study, the majority of whom were female (77.0%), with a mean age of 44 years (±9.33). There was a significant association with more than 15 years of career: OR: 1.53 (95% CI: 1.17-1.99), straining the voice with a face mask: OR: 1.82 (95% CI: 1.25-2.65), difficulty hearing others due to the mask: OR: 1.41 (95% CI: 1.00-2.00), medical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux (GER): OR: 1.38 (95% CI: 1.00-1.89) and suspicion of common mental disorder (CMD): OR: 3.04 (95% CI: 2.46-4.26). Another objective of the study was to carry out an educational action of functional literacy through a podcast on vocal and general health for teachers, which was divided into 03 episodes: the first episode addressing vocal anatomy and physiology, the second episode on vocal signs and symptoms, and the third episode emphasizing vocal health. The metrics obtained through July 2025, with 2,163, 4,138, and 4,489 streams and downloads, respectively, demonstrate the reach and interest of the target audience in the topic. These data highlight the potential of podcasts as an accessible, easily disseminated tool with a positive impact on promoting teachers' vocal health, reinforcing the importance of multimodal educational strategies in the context of education worker health. It was concluded that teachers with longer tenure, those who perceived difficulties in interpersonal communication due to mask use, diagnosed with gastric problems, and suspected CMD were more likely to have vocal disadvantages. These findings reinforce the urgency of actions aimed at promoting teachers' vocal and mental health, especially in contexts of vocal overload aggravated by environmental conditions, such as prolonged mask use. Guidance strategies on proper voice use, medical and psychological monitoring, and improvements in working conditions can contribute to the quality of life and healthy retention of these professionals in teaching. The production and dissemination of an educational podcast for teachers proved to be an effective strategy for providing pedagogical guidance and counseling on voice use, contributing to functional literacy.