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.