Tobacco use among school personnel in Orissa.
Tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitude was assessed among school personnel in Orissa. A single cluster sample design with probability proportional to the enrolment in grades VIII-X was used. Statistical analysis was clone using SUDAAN and the C-sample procedure in Epi-Info. The school response rate was 100%. Over 72% of school personals participated in the survey, the proportion of men being 84%. Current cigarette smoking, bidi smoking and smokeless tobacco use was reported by 26.8%, 30.1% and 38.8% school personnel respectively. Current daily cigarette smoking, bidi smoking and smokeless tobacco use reported by 18.3%, 16.6% and 24.2% school personnel respectively. Men reported significantly more all kinds of daily tobacco use as compared to women. School tobacco control policy on three scales was reported poor (25-39%). However most of the school personnel felt need for such policies (88-98%). Teaching and training on tobacco was reported low (22.7%-35.9%). Most of the school personnel (87-95%) were supportive on different measures on tobacco control issues. Introduction of comprehensive school policies and enforcement on tobacco use may help to reduce adolescent and school personnel tobacco use.
Sinha
Dhirendra N
DN
School of Preventive Oncology, Patna, Bihar, India.
Gupta
Prakash C
PC
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012574:Schools; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014026:Nicotiana