Smoking prevalence and nicotine dependence among teachers
I. Sellami, A. Abbes, A. Feki, D. Elleuch, M. L. Masmoudi, M. Hajjaji, K. Jmal HammamiIntroduction
As role models for young people and key players in prevention in schools, teachers occupy a strategic position in the fight against smoking. Therefore, the prevalence of smoking among primary and secondary school teachers deserves special attention.
Objectives
Our study aimed to explore the smoking behaviour among teachers.
Methods
We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study among teachers working in public schools in the Sfax region in Tunisia, during October, November and December 2016. We used a questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, professional data and smoking behaviour. We assessed the level of nicotine dependence using the Fagerström test.
Results
We included 485 teachers working in public schools in the Sfax region of Tunisia. The mean job tenure was 18.83 ± 10.92 years. The prevalence of smoking was highest among teachers aged 20–29 years (21.4%), followed by those aged 40–49 years (19.2%). The mean nicotine dependence score was 5.48 ± 2.67. Among all current smokers, 56% had nicotine dependence classified as severe to very severe. Statistical analysis did not reveal a significant association between smoking status and age (p = 0.794) or job tenure (p = 0.102).
Conclusions
Smoking prevalence among teachers in Sfax was moderate, yet more than half of current smokers exhibited severe nicotine dependence, highlighting a critical health concern.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared