Voice Use, Voice Disorders, and Awareness Levels in Healthcare Providers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine occupational voice use characteristics, the prevalence of voice disorders, and the level of vocal hygiene awareness among healthcare providers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 100 healthcare professionals working in a tertiary hospital. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). Statistical analyses examined the associations between voice-related symptoms, occupational factors, and awareness levels. Results: A total of 100 healthcare providers participated (76% female; median age: 30 years). Physicians (49%) and nurses (42%) comprised the majority of the sample, with a median professional experience of 6 years. Most (73%) worked in non-ENT clinics. Voice-related symptoms were highly prevalent: 85% reported at least one in the past year—most commonly throat dryness (74%), dysphonia (26%) and vocal fatigue (22%). Only 14.1% sought medical consultation. Smoking and reflux were reported by 44% and 42%, respectively. The median VHI-10 score was 10 (range: 0–29). Participants who frequently or always spoke loudly and those reporting vocal fatigue were significantly more likely to have VHI-10 >7 (p=0.045 and p=0.046, respectively). No significant differences were found by self-reported or tested vocal hygiene knowledge (p>0.05). Overall, 70% had no prior knowledge of vocal hygiene, and 85% had not received formal training. Conclusions: Voice problems are highly prevalent among healthcare providers, mainly associated with loud speaking and vocal fatigue. Despite frequent symptoms, awareness and care-seeking remain low. Preventive education and workplace strategies are essential to safeguard vocal health in this professional group.

Keywords

• Dysphonia
• occupational health
• voice disorders

Hastane Çalışanlarında Ses Kullanımı, Ses Sorunları ve Farkındalık Düzeyi

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, hastane çalışanlarında mesleki ses kullanım özelliklerini, ses bozukluklarının prevalansını ve vokal hijyen farkındalık düzeyini incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Materyal ve Metot: Kesitsel tanımlayıcı tasarımla yürütülen çalışmaya, üçüncü basamak bir hastanede görev yapan 100 sağlık çalışanı dahil edilmiştir. Veriler, yapılandırılmış bir anket formu ve Ses Handikap Endeksi-10 (SHE-10) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Sesle ilişkili semptomlar, mesleki risk faktörleri ve farkındalık düzeyi arasındaki ilişkiler istatistiksel olarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya toplam 100 sağlık çalışanı katılmıştır (%76 kadın; ortanca yaş: 30 yıl). Katılımcıların %49’u hekim, %42’si hemşiredir ve ortanca mesleki deneyim süresi 6 yıldır. Çoğu (%73) KBB dışı kliniklerde çalışmaktadır. Sesle ilişkili semptomlar yaygındır; katılımcıların %85’i son bir yılda en az bir semptom bildirmiştir. En sık boğaz kuruluğu (%74), disfoni (%26) ve vokal yorgunluk (%22) görülmüştür. Yalnızca %14,1 tıbbi yardım almıştır. Katılımcıların %44’ü sigara kullanmakta, %42’sinde reflü öyküsü bulunmaktadır. SHE-10 ortanca skoru 10 (0–29)'dur. İşte sık veya sürekli yüksek sesle konuşanlarda (p=0,045) ve vokal yorgunluk yaşayanlarda (p=0,046) yüksek SHE-10 skoru anlamlı olarak daha fazladır. Vokal hijyen bilgisi veya eğitimi ile skorlar arasında fark saptanmamıştır (p>0,05). Katılımcıların %70’i vokal hijyen hakkında bilgi sahibi olmadığını, %85’i bu konuda hiç eğitim almadığını belirtmiştir. Sonuç: Sağlık çalışanlarında ses sorunları oldukça yaygındır. Özellikle sık yüksek sesle konuşma ve vokal yorgunluk önemli risk faktörleridir. Düşük farkındalık ve düşük başvuru oranı, ses sağlığının korunması için eğitim ve önleyici stratejilerin gerekliliğini göstermektedir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Disfoni
• mesleki sağlık
• ses bozuklukları

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