Tobacco use among students and Teachers in secondary schools

Objectives: Information about tobacco use and the understanding of associated hazards among a selected population group could help in establishing counseling and cessation programs against tobacco use. There is presently no such reported data for Nigeria. Methods: Self administered questionnaires completed by students and teachers from 12 selected secondary schools, were used to obtain relevant information about the awareness, knowledge, attitudes and practice of tobacco use; and demographic profiles of the respondents. Results: A total of 699 subjects (469 students; 230 teachers) were involved in this study. 43 teachers (18.7%) and 64 students (13.6%) had a history of tobacco use, with a significantly higher prevalence among males (p=0.000). Cigarette was the most common form of tobacco used by both teachers (88.4%) and students (71.9%) The major reason for tobacco use was social belonging for most teachers (79.1%) and students (37.5%). Teachers and students had over 50% knowledge of at least one ill-effect of tobacco use but they had more knowledge of lung cancer as an ill-effect of tobacco use. A higher proportion of students were knowledgeable about oral and throat cancer as an ill-effect of tobacco use than teachers. 34.5% teachers and 65.5% students showed a positive attitude towards tobacco use by discontinuing the use of tobacco. Conclusion: The knowledge of ill-effects of tobacco use among teachers and students especially current tobacco users is low. Information on health hazards of tobacco use should be disseminated to teachers and students, and tobacco cessation programs established to help current and intending users of tobacco.