Tabaquismo en funcionarios de educación

Abstract

A descriptive and transversal survey was carried out to know the prevalence of smoking and the attitudes of school teachers and other school workers. An anonymous self administered questionnaire was distributed in 235 educational establishments (132 basic schools, 14 high schools and 87 kindergartens) across the country. The analysis of 3,270 completed questionnaires showed a prevalence of smoking of 36.7%, women smoking more than men (37.3% versus 34.6%). The greatest prevalence was found between 20 and 44 years of age. Teacher auxiliaries and administrative staff showed the highest prevalece (57,6 and 48,6% respectively) while directive staff and teachers showed the lowest (22.2 and 32.6% respectively). Two thirds were daily smokers with an average consumption of 5.7 ± 4.3 (SD) cigarettes per day. Only 0.3% smoked more than 20 cigarettes per per day and 13.5% smoked one cigarette in the first 30 minutes after waking up in the morning. Seventy four percent do not allow smoking in their homes and 92.3% agree to limit smoking in their workplaces. The data from this survey suggest that school workers smoke less than the general population and than health workers. This may favour the development of smoke free environments in schools.