Patterns of tobacco use amongst school teachers.
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2001-07-29
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Abstract
Indulgence in tobacco is a known health risk. The example of school teachers in this regard is likely to have far reaching influence on their pupils and the community. A cross sectional study among 257 teachers from 30 schools revealed that as high as 51.0% teachers consumed tobacco in one form or the other. Smoking was the most popular form of tobacco use (72%). Marked gender differences were noted with 73.9%. Male teachers hooked to tobacco habit in comparison to 13.9% of female teachers. Educational qualification had paradoxical effect on tobacco habit as fewer (20.0%) graduate teachers used tobacco in comparison to non graduate teachers (55.7%). However proportion of Post graduate teachers consuming tobacco was still higher (64.2%). Initiation to tobacco habit in majority began at age 21 years and beyond. Common reasons given for tobacco consumption were curiosity (37.9%), to be social (22.0%), enjoyment (21.2%), to relieve stress (8.17%) and improving performance (5.8%). 21.9% smokers consumed more than 20 cigarettes a day. More than four fifth teachers consciously avoided tobacco use in school premises. Nearly half (45.3%) of tobacco users reported reduction in tobacco use in preceding two years. By and large teachers (92.4%) were aware of harmful consequences of tobacco on health. But only in 29.6% it was a cause for concern. 71.2% respondents intended to give up tobacco habit. 33.7% smokers were aware of hazards of passive smoking to others.
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Pandey GK, Raut DK, Hazra S, Vajpayee A, Pandey A, Chatterjee P. Patterns of tobacco use amongst school teachers. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2001 Jul-Sep; 45(3): 82-7