Prevalence of and factors associated with regular khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia

Abstract

PurposeKhat (Catha edulis) is commonly chewed for its psychostimulant and euphorigenic effects in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Students use it to help them study for long hours especially during the period of examination. However, how regularly khat is chewed among university students and its associated factors are not well documented. In this article we report on the prevalence of and factors associated with regular khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia.MethodsWe did a cross-sectional study from May 20, 2014 to June 23, 2014 on a sample of 1,255 regular students recruited from all campuses of Hawassa University, southern Ethiopia. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. We analyzed the data to identify factors associated with current regular khat chewing using complex sample adjusted logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of current regular khat chewing was 10.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.1%–14.9%). After controlling for sex, religion, year of study, having a father who chews khat, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in the adjusted logistic regression model, living off-campus in rented houses as compared to living in the university dormitory (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] =8.09 [1.56–42.01]), and having friends who chew khat (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] =4.62 [1.98–10.74]) were found to significantly increase the odds of current regular khat use.ConclusionStudents living outside the university campus in rented houses compared to those living in dormitory and those with khat chewing peers are more likely to use khat. A multipronged prevention approach involving students, the university officials, the surrounding community, and regulatory bodies is required.

Prevalence of khat chewing and its effect on academic performance in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Similarly reports from Eastern part of Ethiopia documented a 25 % for life time khat use prevalence 34 . Other school, university, and community based studies conducted in Ethiopia also reported a much higher figure than the reports we found among Sidama students 32,34,38 . For instance the reported overall khat use prevalence among Agaro high school students was 64%.…”

“…Compared to Ethiopian university based khat survey reports, the prevalence for students of Sidama seems to fall within the documented khat use prevalence range but lesser than the community based reports. For instance university based prevalence studies conducted in Ethiopia reported khat use prevalence ranging from 13.4% to 41% for lifetime, 7% to 20.3% for past 12 months, and 6.3% to 33.1% current or past 30 days 32 . Much bigger prevalence reports noticed in Ethiopia are from one school survey report and other community based surveys 7,34 .…”

“…This finding is consistent with other studies. Most of the studies conducted in Ethiopia reported students using these three psycho-active substances 32,34 . Nevertheless, looking merely at the size of the cigarette prevalence report is misleading.…”

“…Youths' substance use, therefore, contributes to the creation of a community with; substance use dependence, juvenile delinquencies, crimes, socio-economic and other public health problems. The Magnitude of students' khat use in Ethiopia ranges from 13.4% to 41% for lifetime and 6.3%-33.1% for current (past 30 days) 32 . Among the top students' expressed reasons for khat use are; to get energized for study, to stay awake or avoid sleep and to increase academic performance 32,33 .…”

“…The Magnitude of students' khat use in Ethiopia ranges from 13.4% to 41% for lifetime and 6.3%-33.1% for current (past 30 days) 32 . Among the top students' expressed reasons for khat use are; to get energized for study, to stay awake or avoid sleep and to increase academic performance 32,33 . Factors increasing the odds of students' khat use include; male gender, having friend chewing khat, having family members chewing khat, Muslim religion, pocket money, living alone during school age, cigarette smoking, financial freedom, parents' educational levels, living in rural area, and others 32,34,35 .…”