The state of health of teachers in secondary schools according to the survey

Introduction. Teaching is a occupation that requires tremendous effort and plays a key role in society. However, teachers face serious problems: stress, emotional burnout, anxiety and depression, which can adversely affect their health and well-being. Although teachers are less likely to report feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms of depression compared to other occupations, they are more likely to experience functional limitations. This highlights the importance of research to understand the factors that affect teachers’ health to find solutions to these problems and provide them with the necessary support.

Purpose of work. To determine the health status in secondary school teachers by identifying the prevalence of somatic diseases according to the survey data to ensure targeted preventive measures related to work, as well as the formation of commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Methods. The study was conducted in a large city with a developed petrochemical industry, among the teaching staff of the secondary schools. The assessment of the health status in workers in this occupation was carried out based on the analysis of data obtained using a somatic questionnaire. The questions from the methodology developed by the specialists of the N.A. Semashko Research Institute of Social Hygiene, Economics and Health Management of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences for a comprehensive sample study of the population’s health, timed to coincide with the census (2002), were used.

Results. The study showed most teachers to have health problems. Almost all the respondents complained of chest pain, 40% of the respondents had high blood pressure, of which 20% (33 persons) had to call an ambulance due to hypertensive crises. Frequent headaches also turned out to be typical for the respondents – 80% of teachers noted concomitant dizziness; 60%- sleep disorders (including difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings at night and shallow sleep), 62% of respondents had signs of neurocirculatory dystonia; 87% of respondents complained of back and limb pain, 43.4% showed signs of diseases of the peripheral nervous system; up to 40% of the teachers surveyed noted breathing problems, periodic coughing; 80% noted the presence of dyspeptic disorders.

Limitations. Lack of data on respondents’ experience and age could have impacted the results. Furthermore, the sample focused on teachers in small towns, limiting its representativeness for larger cities.

Conclusion. The analysis of the results of self-assessment of health by employees of secondary schools indicates an increased risk of developing pathology of the circulatory system, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, and mental disorders. The creation and implementation to social and medical prevention programs aimed at protecting health, preventing work-related illnesses, and fostering commitment to a healthy lifestyle in the cohort group studied should be based on their basic state of health.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require submission of a biomedical ethics committee report or other documents. A cross-sectional, face-to-face, anonymous survey was conducted in accordance with the main principles of the CROSS (A Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies) guidelines, version 2021. All participants provided informed, voluntary, written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Masyagutova L.M. – concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing the text, structuring an article, editing;
Sadrtdinova G.R. – data collection and processing, writing the text, structuring an article, editing, writing the text, selection and translation of literature;
Stepanov E.G. – concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing the text;
Vlasova N.V. – data collection and processing, writing the text, selection and translation of literature.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: March 19, 2025 / Revised: April 14, 2025 / Accepted: June 26, 2025 / Published: March 13, 2026

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