The association of khat (Catha edulis) chewing and orodental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Astatkie, Ayalew; Demissie, Meaza; Berhane, Yemane

doi:10.7196/samj.8070

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Higher frequency of anemia13 and low-birth-weight babies14 have been documented among pregnant women who chew khat. Khat chewing is also associated with different adverse oral health outcomes 15. Neurocognitive impairments,1 euphoria, excitability, anxiety, and insomnia,10,11 are some of the documented central nervous system effects of khat chewing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Astatkie¹,

Demissie²,

Berhane³

et al. 2015

SAR

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Astatkie¹,

Demissie²,

Berhane³

et al. 2015

SAR

Self Cite

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“…Studies ranging from case-reports to controlled experiments investigating the association between khat ( Catha edulis ) chewing and oral and dental health have been performed. Periodontal pocketing [ 1 , 2 ], gum bleeding [ 1 - 3 ], and gingival recession [ 1 - 5 ] have been shown to occur at a higher rate among khat chewers compared to those who do not chew. A dose-response relationship between khat chewing and the aforementioned adverse outcomes has also been reported [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oral symptoms significantly higher among long-term khat (Catha edulis) users in Ethiopia

et al. 2015

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OBJECTIVES:Associations between khat (Catha edulis) chewing and different adverse oral-dental health conditions have been reported, yet evidence is still lacking. This study was designed to investigate the association between long-term regular khat chewing and self-reported oral symptoms.METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1,255 university students in southern Ethiopia. Data on khat chewing status, a range of oral symptoms and other pertinent variables were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The association between long-term regular khat chewing and oral symptom count was investigated using negative binomial regression.RESULTS:The mean oral symptom count among long-term regular khat chewers was 1.75 (standard deviation [SD], 2.18; standard error [SE], 0.31), whereas that among those who were not long-term regular khat chewers was 1.18 (SD, 1.68; SE, 0.10). After adjustment for other variables, long-term regular khat chewers had approximately 50% more oral symptoms than those who were not long-term chewers did (adjusted count ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 2.10).CONCLUSIONS:Long-term khat chewing negatively affects the oral health of young university students.

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“…Khat contains cathinone, a schedule I narcotic (Cochrane and O'Regan 2016). The stimulant effect experienced by khat users is much milder than similar drugs, such as amphetamines, but extensive use can have severe clinical outcomes such as oral decay, gastritis, and in extreme cases psychosis (Astatkie, Demissie, and Berhane 2014;Hassan et al 2007). There is also a growing concern in Ethiopia, and abroad, about the increased use of khat among college and even secondary school students, and the potential cumulative effects over a lifetime of khat use, when consumption starts so early (Adugna, Jira, and Molla 1994;Dachew, Bisetegn, and Gebremariam 2015;Feyisa and Aune 2003;Gebrehanna, Berhane, and Worku 2014;Gebreslassie, Feleke, and Melese 2013;Gelaw and Haile-Amlak 2004;Lakew et al 2014).…”

Section: A Shifting Political Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Khat: Adaptive Community Resilience Strategy or Short‐Sighted Money Maker?

Cafer

2018

Rural Sociology

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Khat (Catha edulis) is a perennial bush originating in East Africa. This shrub's leaves and twigs are sold in East African and Middle Eastern markets for their narcotic effect. Khat has become an exceedingly popular topic in both the health and policy arenas, with a growing body of literature related to cardiovascular and oral health, mental health and cognitive processes, and monitoring and policy related to khat. However, there has been relatively little research on khat's association with food security, which is foundational to human health and well‐being, or its place in the agrifood system. Furthermore, research linking khat to validated cross‐cultural measures of food security is nonexistent. The majority of studies contextualizing khat production in terms of food security focus on khat's displacement of food crops. This study surveyed 115 farmers in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Data revealed khat to be positively associated with food security. However, there is reason for caution given the documented potential for poor health outcomes related to khat consumption and the heavy reliance on irrigation for intensive khat production, combined with the unregulated nature of water withdrawals in Ethiopia. Poor health and degradation of water and soil resources are key vulnerability pathways in community resilience.

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The association of khat (Catha edulis) chewing and orodental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 10 publications

References 33 publications

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

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

Oral symptoms significantly higher among long-term khat (Catha edulis) users in Ethiopia

Khat: Adaptive Community Resilience Strategy or Short‐Sighted Money Maker?

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