OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of smoking among teachers in secondary and tertiary schools, and knowledge of hazards of smoking on oral health.
METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study of 319 teachers from tertiary and secondary schools in Jos, Nigeria. A self administered questionnaire was used for data collection.
RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking among teachers in secondary and tertiary schools were 18.7%, and 27.0% respectively. Over 70% of teachers from secondary and tertiary schools smoke for social acceptance. Knowledge of hazards caused by cigarette smoking to oral health among teachers is low (44.25%).
There was no significant difference in attitudes towards smoking between teachers from secondary and tertiary schools especially regarding quitting tobacco use. 21.9% of teachers from secondary schools discussed how to stop smoking with physician while 9.4% discussed with dentist, this difference was found to be significant (P = 0.049). Most teachers from tertiary and secondary schools seem to confide more in friends than health practitioners. A few (31.0%, 16.7%) are still holding onto the habit, while 69% and 83.3% of secondary and tertiary schools teachers, respectively, are trying to give up the habit.
CONCLUSION: There is the desire to quit tobacco use among the teachers, with ignorance of the appropriate health professionals to consult. Oral health professionals are suitably placed to counsel prospective quitters and educate populace on hazards of tobacco use.