Does Increased Knowledge of Risk and Complication of Smoking on Diabetes Affect Quit Rate? Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Kerala, India

BACKGROUND Data on quit rates among diabetes patients are limited. PURPOSE To find whether positive change in knowledge on smoking-related complications is associated with increased quit rates among diabetes patients. METHODS We randomized 224 male diabetes patients into intervention groups 1 and 2. Both groups received a standard diabetic-specific smoking cessation message from a doctor. Intervention group 2 additionally received counseling. We compared the positive change in knowledge and the quit rates between the two groups at 6 months. RESULTS Positive change in knowledge in group 2 was two times higher than that in group 1. The odds of quitting among patients who reported a positive change in knowledge was 2.65 times higher compared to those who reported no positive change in knowledge. CONCLUSIONS Increasing the knowledge of persons with diabetes about the risks of developing severe complications if they continue smoking leads to significantly higher quit rates.