Abstract
Background
Physical activity is beneficial for maintaining health, quality of life, physical and psychological well-being. However, there are still few studies that have the practice of physical activity and vocal problems.
Objective
To identify the prevalence of vocal problems and their association with the level of physical activity in public elementary school teachers.
Method
A cross-sectional analytical study with a probabilistic sample of a single-stage conglomerate composed of 634 teachers was carried out. The dependent variable was the existence of vocal issues (four or more signs/symptoms). The independent variables were related to sociodemographic, occupational, and life and health aspects, and they were considered in the modeling as adjustment factors. The level of physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - IPAQ (short version). Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple analyzes were performed (Poisson Regression).
Results
There was a high prevalence of vocal signs/symptoms (79.2%), as well as those with four or more signs/symptoms, called vocal problems (27.3%). In the adjusted final model, the prevalence of vocal problems was higher among female teachers (PR = 1.9), with a longer teaching period (PR = 1.3), with poor quality of life in the physical domain (PR = 1.9) and in the psychological domain (1.4), and among sedentary/insufficiently active teachers (PR = 1.3).
Conclusion
The practice of physical activity showed a relationship with vocal health even after controlling the other variables, which emphasizes the need for teacher awareness and encouragement regarding the practice of physical activity.
Keywords:
voice; dysphonia; exercise; sedentary lifestyle; primary school teachers
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