Browsing by Author "Suomalainen, Anna-Katri"

Vocal symptoms and voice disorders may have a detrimental effect on the quality of life. Earlier research has shown that individuals working in professions with heavy vocal loading are more susceptible to voice problems than the general population. Studies have also shown that kindergarten teachers are especially susceptible to voice problems, but studies addressing vocal symptoms and voice ergonomic risk factors concerning day care center personnel in Finland are scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of vocal symptoms in day care center personnel in Finland, and to find out how the symptoms affect the personnel’s daily life. The study also investigated which voice ergonomic risk factors have a statistically significant association with frequently occurring vocal symptoms. In total, 72 kindergarten teachers and children’s nurses from 19 daycare centers in southern Finland participated in the study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included demographic information, health and voice-related questions, Screen6, Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and Voice Activity and Participation Profile (VAPP). Sections concerning voice ergonomics in work environment included working culture, working posture and indoor air quality. The data were analyzed using SPSS 27 software. Of the participants, 29 percent experienced two or more symptoms daily or weekly, which, according to previous research, can be defined as a voice problem. The most common frequently occurring vocal symptom was a need for throat clearing or coughing while speaking, which occurred among 32 percent of the participants daily or weekly. The scores on the VHI and VAPP, however, showed that the vocal symptoms did not have a significant negative effect on daily activities. There was a statistically significant association between frequently occurring vocal symptoms and asthma medication, heartburn, respiratory infections during the last 12 months, absence from work due to voice problems during the last 12 months (not related to respiratory infections), noise, colleagues’ distractive voice use, muscle tension in shoulders, chin and in the back of the neck, dry indoor air, dusty indoor air and poor indoor air quality in the workplace in the mornings. The results are similar to previous findings, and they strengthen the idea that in order to be able to prevent voice disorders, it is essential to pay special attention to voice and voice ergonomics in day care centers.