Knowledge of and willingness to use tobacco cessation services among patients with non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Tobacco cessation services are recognised as an effective strategy for curbing tobacco consumption. However, data regarding these services in Bangladesh are limited. This study aimed to assess the levels of knowledge of and willingness to use tobacco cessation services and to identify associated factors among patients with NCDs who were current tobacco users in Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 660 consecutively selected patients with NCDs aged ≥18 years visiting selected government sub-district hospitals in Bangladesh. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from May 26-14 June, 2025. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with overall knowledge of and willingness to use cessation services. RESULTS: Only 10.5% of participants reported moderate to high levels of overall knowledge on cessation services, while 65.3% expressed willingness to use them. In the multivariable ordinal logistic regression with partial proportional odds model (PPOM), higher knowledge of cessation services was associated with secondary education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.08-3.31) and higher secondary education and above (aOR: 4.3, 95% CI: 2.21-8.51). Similarly, the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis shows that willingness to use cessation services was associated with secondary education (aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.12-2.83), higher secondary education and above (aOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.13-4.68), > 10 hospital visits (aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.59-3.88), and moderate to high levels of overall knowledge of cessation services (aOR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.73-7.99). CONCLUSIONS: Despite low levels of knowledge, willingness to use cessation services was high among participants in Bangladesh. Educational attainment was a key determinant of knowledge, while greater knowledge, higher education, and more frequent hospital visits were associated with willingness. These findings highlight the need to improve patient awareness and integrate cessation support into routine care to increase service use among tobacco users.