ABSTRACT
To determine the proportion of school teachers with vocal symptoms in the selected schools across the UAE, to determine distribution of vocal symptoms by selected epidemiological variables [age, gender, and medical history of asthma, respiratory allergies, sinusitis, gastric reflux, and hypothyroidism], and to determine the proportion of teachers who sought medical treatment for the vocal symptoms. A cross sectional study was done between June 2012 and March 2013. The study included teachers aged from 20 to 50 years in five selected schools in the UAE, who were present at time of data collection and who gave informed consent. A validated, pilot tested, self- administered questionnaire was used as a tool. The GMU Ethics Committee approved the study and acceptance letters were obtained from the selected schools before data collection. Data from questionnaires were entered on Microsoft Excel, and analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. A p value < 0.05 was considered for level of significance. A total of 200 questionnaires [the number was determined conveniently] were distributed among teachers of which 173 questionnaires were filled in [response rate=86.5%] and analyzed. Out of the respondents, 140 [81%] teachers suffered from vocal symptoms. The study showed a highly significant relation between the duration of voice usage per day and presence of vocal symptoms [p < 0.001]. This study showed a significant association between vocal symptoms and history of sinusitis, gastric reflux and tonsillitis. 17 [12%] teachers suffering from vocal symptoms opted for medical treatment. 140 [81%] of the teachers suffered from vocal symptoms. The presence of vocal symptoms was significantly associated with the duration of voice usage per day and pre-existing medical conditions such as sinusitis, gastric reflux and tonsillitis. 17 [12%] teachers suffering from vocal symptoms opted for medical treatment