By Esther Tamunoiyowuna Bruce-Agbogidi
Abstract
The study investigated correlates of occupational health hazards among secondary school teachers in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Survey design was adopted, and a sample of 258 secondary school teachers was used. A questionnaire titled ”Questionnaire on Occupational Health Problems Prevalent among Teachers” (QOHPPT) was used to gather data. Four questions and four hypotheses guided the study. Frequencies and mean were used to answer the questions, while the hypotheses were tested with independent sample t-test and ANOVA at 0.05 alpha level. Results reveal that female teachers suffered higher prevalence of voice problems, even as gender does not significantly influence prevalence of voice problems. Age significantly influenced prevalence of voice problem. Female teachers have a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pains; however gender does not significantly influence prevalence of musculoskeletal pains. Older teachers experience higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pains, even though age does not significantly influence prevalence of musculoskeletal pains among secondary school teachers. Based on the findings, recommendations were made including that the ministry of education should introduce the use of public address system to reduce stress on the voice.