Objective: To investigate the epidemic features and risk factors of voice diseases of 5758 business dealers.
Method: Questionnaire survey was conducted among 5785 business dealers of four markets in Yiwu city by random cluster sampling from March to July, 2006. They were also examined by indirect laryngoscopy. The incidence of voice disease was calculated and the risk factors were evaluated in four markets.
Result: The incidence of voice disease was 39.3%, 18.8%, 28.4% and 58.1% in garment market, crafts market, stock market, and vegetable market, respectively. The average incidence was 30.4% in four markets. The difference of incidence among four markets was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The difference of incidence between female and male was statistically significant in any market. Chronic laryngitis and polyp of vocal cord were found to be the major pathological manifestations in men, while Chronic laryngitis and vocal nodules were found to be the major pathological manifestations in women. In addition, laryngeal carcinoma was confirmed in 8 cases. Market noise, pollution, unhealthy habits of business trade and excessive voice were the high risk factors. The female and the business dealers aged from 30 to 50 were the high risk people.
Conclusion: Varied relevant measures should be taken to prevent and control voice disease in different subgroups of population. People should be examined thoroughly as soon as they got voice problem. Improvement of market environment and timely intervention may reduce the prevalence rate of voice disease.