title: Tobacco use among school personnel in Orissa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Preventive Oncology, Patna, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Dhirendra N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Prakash C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: 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