Analysis of the Vocal Health of the Preachers of the Seventh-Day Adventist Churches

Abstract

Introduction: The dysphonia cases are common in professions that use the voice continuously. Out of these, we find the preachers who are submitted to several vocal alterations for the abusive use of the voice. Objective: To analyze the occurrence of laryngeal symptoms in the preachers of the Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in the city of Belém and to alert for the problem. Method: We carried out a prospective, individualized and transversal study through the completing of a research-owned questionnaire. We evaluated 56 preachers, according to acceptance. Results: The 56 preachers were male with mean age of 35.8 years. As for the occupation, only 8 (14%) exerted other activities that also demanded the occupational use of the voice. This study showed that the activity time average of the preachers was of 10.2 years. As for the vocal cares, only 29 (51.7%) practiced vocal cares, of whom 13 (7.2%) carried out vocal warm-up before their activities. The triad of clinical symptoms of major frequency was: Clearing of the throat, observed in 44 preachers (78.5%), hoarseness, in 32 (57.1%) and pain/irritation, in 29 (51.8%). As for the habits and lifestyle only one (1.8%) preacher reported he had the habit of smoking, one (1.8%) informed he used marijuana and two (3.7%) mentioned they drank alcoholics. Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of vocal complaints in the preachers studied. Clearing of the throat was the most frequent (78.5%), followed by hoarseness (57.1%) and laryngeal pain/irritation (51.8%). These professionals' instruction and training as for the cares regarding the vocal health could reduce the high prevalence o such complaints.

Keywords

• Voice disorders
• Hoarseness
• Risk factors
• Quality of life
• Worker's health
• Voice