Prevalence of voice handicap among nurses in intensive care units due to occupational noise during pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Healthcare workers have been identified as being at risk of occupational voice disorders. Among them, nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) are particularly vulnerable due to the risk factors that are associated with their exposure to high levels of noise. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of voice disorders among ICU nurses.

Methods

A questionnaire was administered to 100 ICU nurses from four hospitals in China. The questionnaire assessed vocal-related symptoms, perceived voice handicap, frequently heard noise sources, and the quality of communications.

Results

Results indicate that the most frequently reported voice symptoms were 'voice tiredness' and 'voiceless'. Nurses working more than 50 h per week experienced voice symptoms m

SUBMITTER: Song Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10505665 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature