Individual, occupational, and dysphonia-related factors in operational and administrative military police officers.

PURPOSE: To analyze occupational, individual, and dysphonia-related factors in military police officers in operational and administrative service.

METHODS

Observational, cross-sectional study with 482 police officers (77 administrative and 405 operational) from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were collected through a questionnaire, sent via the Internet, with sociodemographic, occupational, and dysphonia-related questions, as well as the Brazilian Dysphonia Screening Tool (Br-DST) and the Job Stress Scale (JSS). The sample included police officers on active duty, from the enlisted personnel, who were not in military training courses. Those who did not respond to the survey by the end were excluded. Descriptive and association analyses between categorical variables were performed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Police officers in administrative and operational services had different police service time, perception of social support at work, threat or aggression at work, and raised voice in intense noise. The probability of moderate/high dysphonia was similar for police officers on operational and administrative duty. Approximately 18% of officers reported straining to speak, and 9% reported hoarseness. Absence from work due to voice problems was low in both service levels.

CONCLUSION

Police officers on operational duty reported shorter service time, greater exposure to threats and physical aggression, raised voice due to intense noise, and low social support at work. Those working in administrative roles had opposite characteristics, suggesting a less health-unfavorable work environment.