Evaluation of Knowledge and Behavior of and Attitudes Towards Smoking Cigarettes and Using Smokeless Tobacco in Patients With Chronic Renal Failure

BackgroundSmoking can have negative effects on renal function in healthy individuals, which may result in kidney disease. To determine knowledge, behavior, and attitudes toward smoking cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco among patients with chronic renal failure, we sought to provide evidence for appropriate precautions and guidance for further research.MethodsThe study included 86.7% of 390 patients undergoing treatment for chronic renal failure who completed a 30-question instrument.ResultsOf the participants, 7.9% were smokers and 12.6% ex-smokers. Among the smokers, 61% said they wanted to quit and 45% said they needed help to quit. Of the participants, 9.5% were using Maras powder, a type of smokeless tobacco. Of the smokeless tobacco users, 55.6% noted that they wanted to give it up. The rate of the participants smoking cigarettes and/or using smokeless tobacco was 17.4%. In addition, 38.9% of the participants said that they started to use smokeless tobacco to quit smoking cigarettes. Of the participants, 62.6% thought smoking was harmful to the kidneys. The rate of the passive smokers was 30.2%. Of the participants, 66.3% explained that they were exposed to smoke at home.ConclusionsAppropriate interventions should begin to help patients with chronic renal failure stop smoking and to prevent them from exposure to cigarette smoke. Smokers should be informed that using smokeless tobacco is not a way to stop smoking cigarettes. Education programs should be conducted to prevent people from using smokeless tobacco and to help smokeless tobacco users to quit their habit.