OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AMONG BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Basic education teachers are exposed to various occupational factors that can compromise their physical and mental health, making work-related illness a significant public health issue. This study aimed to identify the main work-related health issues affecting basic education teachers. A literature review was conducted, analyzing 26 studies identified through searches in three databases: PubMed, BVS/LILACS, and SciELO. The findings indicate that the primary work-related health issues among teachers fall into three categories: mental health problems, voice disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Prominent issues include occupational stress, anxiety, burnout syndrome, dysphonia, vocal fatigue, and lower back pain—conditions frequently associated with factors such as excessive workload, pressure to achieve results, lack of institutional support, and intensive voice use. It is evident that the nature of teaching fosters the development of various occupational health problems, highlighting the need for strategies aimed at health promotion, disease prevention, and the improvement of teachers' working conditions.