title: Tobacco control practices in 25 schools of West Bengal.
abstract: Information about tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitude was assessed among school personnel in schools of West Bengal. Statistical analysis was done using SUDAAN and the C-sample procedure in Epi-Info. The school response rate was 100%. Current any smoking and smokeless tobacco use was reported by 30.9% and 13.1% school personnel, respectively. Current daily smoking, and smokeless tobacco use reported by 20.4%, and 5.8% school personnel respectively. Men reported significantly more for all kinds of daily tobacco use as compared to women. School tobacco control policy on three scales was reported poor (17.7-30%). However most of the school personnel felt need for such policies (82.7-93.6%). Teaching and training on tobacco was reported low (29.9%-50.4%). However most of the school personnel (79.1-93.6%) were supportive on different measures of tobacco control. Training of school personnel may provide students with essential tools to help them adopt and maintain a smoke free lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: School of Preventive Oncology, Patna, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Dhirendra N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Soma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roychowdhury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014026:Nicotiana