One-Year Follow-Up of a Vocal Hygiene Program for School-Age Children

Objective: This study investigated the effects of a school-based vocal hygiene education program "Green Voice for School" on promoting knowledge of healthy voice use for primary school students.

Methods: Thirty-nine grade 4 and 5 students from local primary schools participated in the "Green Voice for School" program. Students received 6 weekly vocal hygiene training sessions with the aim of enhancing their voice care knowledge. Their voice care knowledge was assessed by a 15-item questionnaire. Students' voice care knowledge was examined before training, immediately after, and 1 year after completion of the program.

Results: Students showed significant improvements in their voice care knowledge immediately after they received the vocal hygiene training sessions. Such improvements were maintained 1 year after the students completed training.

Conclusions: The results suggest that "Green Voice for School", a school-based vocal hygiene education program, can be effective in promoting long-term improvements of voice care knowledge in school-age children.