Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice about smoking among male teachers in Tehran, Iran

To assess knowledge, attitude and practice about smoking should be evaluated as their cigarette smoking may lead to smoking among teachers in Tehran, Iran. This was a cross sectional study carried out in Tehran, Iran. A random sample of teachers from 50 schools were selected. Data on knowledge, attitude and practice about smoking were recorded using a WHO based questionnaire. In all 551 male teachers were took part in the study. 150 teachers reported that they smoke more then 100 cigarettes of these 80 teachers (14.5%) reported to smoke daily, 40 teachers (7.3%) smoked occasionally and 30 teachers (4.5%) have quit smoking. So their cigarette smoking prevalence was stimated to be 27.2% (CI 95%: 23.5%-31.1%).The prevalence of smoking among teachers was not different in different educational districts (P=0.13). Also, there was no statistical difference between the prevalence of smoker born in Tehran and elsewhere (P=0.18). In addition, type of employment and smoking status were not associated (P=0.25). However, the association between knowledge, attitude and practice and smoking status of teachers were found statistically significant (P<0.0001). Since, smoking habits among teachers was similar to general population and because the students imitate their teachers, therefore, educational tobacco control programs for teachers should be designed and implemented in order to reduce tobacco smoking in this group and finally among the students.