Background: In some countries the use of Khat is widespread. The use or misuse of Khat is increasingly prevalent in Ethiopia. College and university students consume Khat to get mental alertness and to work hard in their academic endeavours. Most of the studies concerning Khat chewing were done on community-based studies and high school-based as well as psychiatric effects of Khat: less was done among university students. Objective: The study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Khat chewing among undergraduate Adama University students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire was conducted on population sample size determined by using single population proportion formula in January 2012. By using multi-stage sampling technique followed by simple random sampling, one department was selected from each school. Then, by simple random sampling, the sampled students were selected proportionally to their year of study and class size. Questions regarding demographic variables, academic and environmental factors were included in the survey. Data quality was controlled by pre-test, supervision, translation and training data collectors. Completed data were coded and entering into EPI info version 3.5.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 16. Odds ratio with 95% CI and multiple logistic regression analysis were used. Results: A total of 728 students participated giving a response rate of 95.3%. The lifetime and current prevalence of Khat chewing were found to be 27.7% and 20.7% respectively. Being male (AOR = 1.95; 95% CI 1.10 - 3.47), monthly pocket money (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.01 - 2.28), family history of Khat chewing (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.14 - 2.59) and friend chewing Khat (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.12 - 2.58) were associated factors for Khat chewing (p < 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of Khat chewing among Adama University students was high compared to other studies done in similar settings. Therefore, there is a need for early intervention that targets university students to reduce impact of peer pressure, family history of Khat chewing and proper management of money. To realize this involvement and participation of policy makers, ministry of education, universities and parents are mandatory.
In some countries where the use of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is widespread, the habit has a deep-rooted social and cultural tradition. This is particularly true for Ethiopia [
College and university students consume Khat to get mental alertness and to work hard in their academic endeavours [
Insomnia is a common problem associated with the use of Khat which prompts the chewer to use/misuse sedatives and to indulge in alcohol as a means of overcoming the side effect [
In Ethiopia, the use or misuse of addictive substances, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is increasingly prevalent in Ethiopia [
Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a natural stimulant from the Catha edulis plant, found in the flowering evergreen tree or large shrub of Celastracea family, which grows mainly in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen and at high altitude areas in South Africa and Madagascar. The plant is known by different names in different countries: Khat in Ethiopia, Qat in Yemen, Mirra in Kenya and Qaad or Jaad in Somalia, but in most of the literature it is known as Khat [
The youth constitutes the population aged 15 - 24 years. Worldwide, there are more than one billion people within the ages of 15 - 24 years, most of who live in developing countries. Young people constitutes one-third of the total population in Ethiopia [
According to Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, eleven percent of women and twenty eight percent of men reported that they had ever chewed Khat. Among both women and men, this proportion increases with age. Among women, chat consumption is higher in rural areas than that in urban areas (12 percent versus 7 percent); while among men there is no marked difference by place of residence. The percentage who ever chewed chat is highest among women with no education (14 percent) and among men with more than secondary education (32 percent) [
The reported reasons for chewing Khat include religious prayer, to pass time, to accompany or socialize with family members, and to get more concentration at work [
According to study conducted among the staff of Jimma University, the reasons for chewing Khat were to increase performance (58.5%) followed by relaxation (39.8%) and socialization (18.7%) [
respectively [
Khat typically is ingested while chewing the leaves. After ingesting Khat, the chewer experiences an immediate increase in blood pressure and heart rate [
About 40% of those out-of-school youths who chewed Khat reported that it increased their sexual desire [
Among Khat chewers, 34 (27.6%) were chewing 2 - 3 times per week [
The median duration (years) of chewing was 20 years [
Seventy-four (40.2%) have started Khat chewing before four years [
The amount of Khat consumed at a time was estimated per cost in birr, and 76.2% of the chewers consumed Khat that costs 1 - 5 birr [
Most (72.1%) of the chewers chew Khat with friends, 13.6% chew alone, 13.6% chew with spouse and 0.7% chew with their parents [
Out of the total studied subjects, 63.7% said yes for coffee consumption, of which 24.2% were found to be Khat chewers or drink coffee during Khat chewing and 14.7% of the Khat chewers ingested alcohol after chewing [
Addiction and Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT) problems like constipation were mentioned as the main health problems of chewing Khat, 47.3% (n = 423) and 33.4% (n = 299), respectively [
Few reports could be found in the literature on the prevalence of Khat among the university students. Milaat et al. (2005) reported that current Khat prevalence among the general population in Jazan area (Saud Arabia) was 48.7 percent [
In a study conducted in Jimma Town in 2000, the current prevalence of Khat chewing was found to be 30.6% [
One study revealed that the prevalence of Khat chewing among secondary school students in south-western Ethiopia was 64.9% [
The life time prevalence of Khat chewing was found to be 32.6% and the current prevalence was 21.0% [
The lifetime prevalence of Khat chewing was 26.7%. One hundred twenty students (10.9%) were both life time smokers and chewers. The life time prevalence rate of Khat chewing in GCMS (Gonder College of Medical Sciences), GCTE (Gonder College of Teacher Education), BUENGF (Bahr Dar University Engineering Faculty, and BUEDUCF (Bahr Dar University Education Faculty) was 27.4%, 23.2%, 27.5% and 27.2%, respectively. There were 18 life time chewers. The current prevalence rate of Khat chewing was 17.5% among college students of North West Ethiopian 2001 [
Khat chewing habit emerged as a significant risk predictor for HIV (Human Immune Virus) infection along with other influencing factors, viz. age, sex, religion, educational and marital status, and multiple sexual practices. The risk of being HIV positive increases 1.97 times by Khat chewing; as much as 4.68 times through multiple sexual practice; 2.05 times among the age group at or above 31 years; and 2.71, 2.67, 2.09, and 1.62 times among the females, the less educated, among the married, and the Christians, respectively [
The presence of family members who chew Khat was a risk factor for chewing Khat [
Compared to Christians and Muslims other religious groups were at higher risk of chewing. There was no statistically significant difference in chewing habit between the different faculties and regions [
No association was found between Khat chewing and membership of specific ethnic group, age group, marital status and educational level [
Being Muslim was strongly and positively associated with Khat use in the past year, but students who reported business as their parent’s main source of income were less likely to consume Khat than students who reported other source of income for their parents. Students who reported having a friend who currently chewed Khat were about eight times more likely to chew Khat than those students who reported no such friend (adjusted OR (Odds Ratio) = 8.08, 95% CI (Confidence Interval) = 2.84 - 22.98) [
Khat chewing was significantly associated with male gender, peer influence and similar habit among family members, and being a Muslim [
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Khat chewing and associated factors among undergraduate Adama University students, Ethiopia.
The study was conducted at Adama University, which is located at 100 kilometres to the east of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Adama town has a growing trend of infrastructure, utilities and large labour force. It falls within the low land zone with an average annual temperature of 21 degree Celsius. Based on the 2007 census, in 2010 the population of the city was estimated to be 280,000. The major sources for Khat to the town are from Wondogenet and Harar. There are two Khat distributing centers in the town: Arada and Gimbi Gabaya. From these sources it will be again redistributed to Khat selling shops and neighbour towns (Asella, Gofa, Doni, Wonji, and Wolenchit) [
Adama University is one of the universities which is found in Ethiopia. The university gives teaching learning process in different programmes: regular, extension and summer. The total number of regular undergraduate students in the academic year of 2011/12 was 13930. The University has six schools namely school of engineering and information technology, school of business, school of humanity and natural sciences, school of pedagogy, school of agriculture and school of health. The study was conducted in January, 2012 G.C (Gregorian Calendar).
Quantitative higher teaching institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted. The source population were all Adama University regular undergraduate students who were registered as second year and above during the academic year of 2011/2012.
Adama University students randomly selected from the six departments and who completely filled the self- administered questionnaire were the study population. Critically ill students during data collection time were excluded from study. In addition, first year, extension, summer, distance education and post graduate students were excluded.
Sample size (n) required for this study was calculated by using single population proportion (p) formula to be 764 by taking margin of error to be 4% and, 95% confidence interval and the prevalence of Khat chewing among college students of North West Ethiopia in 2001 which was 17.5%. Finally, the sample size was 764 by considering non-response rate 10% and design effect 2.
Multi stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents of the study. First, among the six schools in Adama University, one department was selected by using simple random sampling (SRS) method from each school. Sample size was proportionally allocated for the selected departments based on their class size and academic years of the study. Secondly, from the selected departments, by using the students’ name list from the registrar as a sampling frame, the respondents were selected by a simple random sampling method for the self- administered questionnaire.
The dependent variable was Khat chewing while the nindependent variables were age, sex, ethnicity, religion, marital status, department/school, academic year, income of family and the students, peer pressure, family history of Khat chewing and availability of Khat.
The final English version of the questionnaire was developed after extensive revision of relevant literature on the subject and WHO (World Health Organization) student drug-use questionnaire to ensure reliability. Data was collected from sample students using structured self administered questionnaire having two parts. The first part contains general information including socio demographic characteristics of the students and their family where as the second part contains the questionnaire which assesses Khat chewing condition of the students and their family’s history of Khat chewing. Two versions of the questionnaire were used: an English version and an Amharic language version. Amharic version was made available to students.
The data collection was facilitated by four grade twelve completed students and supervised by two Bachelor of Science (BSc) holders in health sciences. The sample size for each randomly selected department was predetermined proportionally. Therefore the number of students in the study sample was known for each class. The time elapsed (used) for filling questionnaire in one class by average was 15 - 25 minutes. The ID (Identification) number of the students in the sample was posted in the class. Then the data collectors inform the students about the objective of the study and administered the questionnaire by cross checking their ID number. Finally, the data collectors collected the questionnaire and the supervisors took the questionnaire by checking the completeness.
To assure the data quality high emphasis was given in designing data collection instrument. Pre-test was done in Ambo University, prior to five days of the actual data collection day on 30 students, followed by modification. Proper instruction was given before the survey as to the importance of the study for the students. During data collection, the supervisors received questionnaires from data collectors and reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.
The collected data was reviewed and checked for completeness before data entry; the incomplete data was discarded. Complete data was coded and entered into EPI info version 3.5.1 and transported to SPSS version 16. The analyses was composed of two parts, descriptive and analytical statistics. Descriptive analysis of frequency, percentage, mean, median and standard deviation were applied for general characteristics, prevalence of Khat chewing. Logistic regression was applied to find the relationship between outcome (dependent) variable and independent variable. Crude logistic regression was used to see relationship between one independent variable with outcome at time and adjust logistic regression was used to see relationship between many independent variables with outcome variable after controlling confounding factors. Significance level and association of variables were tested by using 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and odds ratio. Level of significant was set at 5%.
Ethical clearance letter was obtained from Research and Ethics Committee (REC) of School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University. A written consent was obtained from Adama University. Additionally verbal consent information was explained to the students before delivering questionnaire. The students had right to refuse join this study without any effects on their study’s result and no need to explain the reason. Students were informed that data will be used for research’s purpose only. To keep confidentiality, no need to write their name and personal identification.
The result of this study will be disseminated or communicated to Addis Ababa University School of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Adama Town Administrative Bureau, Adama University, local institutions and other concerned bodies through reports and publication on an appropriate journal.
Of the total 764 questionnaires administered, 728 were completed and returned making a response rate of 95.3%. The study population included more males (87.5%) than females. The students age range from 18 to 35 years, with the mean of 21.84 years (SD (Standard Deviation) = ±1.67) and the majority 633 (87%) were within the age of 20 - 24 years old as shown in
With regard to the department of the students, most students 304 (41.8%) were from electrical engineering department and followed by business administration department students 105 (14.4%). From total of students involved in the study second year students account 286 (39.3%) and followed by third year students that account 276 (37.9%) as shown in
The main ethnicity group was Oromo which account for 315 (43.27%) and followed by Amhara which was 242 (33.24%). About 55.9% and 25.1% of the sample were Orthodox Christian and Muslim, respectively, followed by Protestant Christian (15.7%). Most of the students involved in the study were unmarried which account 673 (92.4%) as shown in
When the students were asked about their source of monthly income, they revealed that 676 (92.9%) of the students got money from the family, 71 (9.8%) from friends, 182 (25%) from relatives and 107 (14.7%) from their own (the percent does not add up hundreds because one student can answer more than one alternatives). Similarly, concerning their monthly pocket money, 5.6% of the students did not report their estimated money. From those who revealed it, 39.6% reported birr 100.00 - 299.00 and 54.8% indicated birr 300.00 or more. The average monthly income reported was 351.90 (SD = ±210.15) birr. The minimum and maximum amounts of monthly pocket money were 100 and 1200 birr respectively. Government employment (27.9%), business (27.3%), and agriculture-based (38.0%) were the main reported source of parents’ income as depicted in
The lifetime prevalence of Khat chewing was found to be 27.7% while the current prevalence of chewing was 20.7% and briefly presented in
The life time prevalence rate of Khat chewing in the departments was: 36.5% in natural resource management, 33.3% in electrical electronics, 32.7% in law, 25.7 in business administration, 25.3% in electrical engineering and 24.3 in medicine. The current prevalence of Khat chewing according to the year of study was: 21.3% in second year, 22.9% in third year, 16.3% in fourth year and 16.1% in fifth year students. The current prevalence rate of Khat chewing in natural resource management, in electrical electronics, law, in business administration, in electrical engineering and in medicine was 32.7%, 26.7%, 24%, 21%, 19.7% and 10.7%, respectively.
Variables | Frequency N = 728 | % |
---|---|---|
Age (years) | ||
15 - 19 | 64 | 8.7 |
20 - 24 | 633 | 87.0 |
25 or more | 31 | 4.3 |
Sex | ||
Male | 637 | 87.5 |
Female | 91 | 12.5 |
Department of the student | ||
Natural resource management | 52 | 7.2 |
Medicine | 103 | 14.1 |
Law | 104 | 14.3 |
Electrical engineering | 304 | 41.8 |
Business administration | 105 | 14.4 |
Electrical electronics | 60 | 8.2 |
Year of the study | ||
Second year | 286 | 39.3 |
Third year | 276 | 37.9 |
Fourth year | 104 | 14.3 |
Fifth year | 62 | 8.5 |
Marital status | ||
Never married | 673 | 92.4 |
Ever married/cohabiting | 55 | 7.6 |
Religion | ||
Orthodox Christian | 407 | 55.9 |
Protestant Christian | 114 | 15.7 |
Muslim | 183 | 25.1 |
Others | 24 | 3.3 |
Ethnicity | ||
Amhara | 242 | 33.3 |
Oromo | 315 | 43.3 |
Gurage | 70 | 9.6 |
Tigre | 78 | 10.7 |
Others | 23 | 3.2 |
Monthly pocket money | N = 686 | |
100 - 299 birr | 398 | 59.1 |
300 or more birr | 288 | 40.9 |
Family’s main source of income | ||
Daily labourer | 26 | 4.0 |
Government employee | 204 | 27.9 |
Business | 199 | 27.3 |
Agriculture-based | 279 | 38.0 |
Others | 20 | 2.7 |
Prevalence of Khat chewing | Khat chewers | Non-Khat chewers | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male | Female | Male | Female | |||||||
No | % | No | % | No | % | No | % | No | % | |
Lifetime prevalence | 157 | 21.6 | 45 | 6.2 | 480 | 65.9 | 46 | 6.3 | 202 | 27.7 |
One year prevalence | 150 | 20.6 | 41 | 5.6 | 487 | 66.9 | 50 | 6.9 | 191 | 26.2 |
Current prevalence | 123 | 16.9 | 28 | 3.8 | 514 | 70.6 | 63 | 8.7 | 151 | 20.7 |
On average 19.78 birr (SD = ±7.245) is spent by a Khat chewer per ceremony. The minimum and the maximum amount of money spent in a ceremony of Khat were 7 and 40 birr, respectively. Four hundred and eighty two (66.2%) of the students had a family who chew Khat and 493 (67.75%) also had friends who chew Khat.
Life time chewers gave various reasons for chewing Khat. The main reason mentioned was to increase performance and concentration on study (68.3%) followed by peer pressure (56.4%) and enjoyment (relaxation) (45%). Only 6 (3%) of students chew Khat for the purpose of enhancing sex.
To minimize the risk of confounder for dependent variables multiple logistic regressions were used. Having families who are chewing Khat had association with Khat chewing of the students in the university. It had showed significant association at P-value of 0.007 with COR (Crude Odds Ratio) (95% CI) = 1.65 (1.15, 2.39) and P-value of 0.009 with AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio) (95% CI) = 1.72 (1.14, 2.59). Students whose family has the history of Khat chewing were 1.72 times likely to chew Khat than the students whose family didn’t, according to
Pattern of Khat chewing | Male | Female | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | % | No | % | No | % | |
Chewing frequency | ||||||
Daily | 26 | 17.2 | 4 | 2.6 | 30 | 19.8 |
One to three times a week | 43 | 28.5 | 11 | 7.3 | 54 | 35.8 |
Occasionally | 54 | 35.8 | 13 | 8.6 | 67 | 44.4 |
Where Khat is chewed | ||||||
In the dorm | 52 | 34.4 | 14 | 9.3 | 66 | 43.7 |
In the video house | 10 | 6.6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 6.6 |
In Khat selling house | 46 | 30.4 | 9 | 6.0 | 55 | 36.4 |
In relatives home | 14 | 9.3 | 4 | 2.6 | 18 | 11.9 |
Other place | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
With whom Khat is chewed | ||||||
Alone | 25 | 16.5 | 8 | 5.3 | 33 | 21.8 |
With friends in the university | 67 | 44.4 | 13 | 8.6 | 80 | 53 |
With friends out of the university | 29 | 19.2 | 7 | 4.6 | 36 | 23.8 |
With family | 2 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.4 |
Substance use during/after Khat chewing | ||||||
Cigarette smoking | 67 | 44.3 | 14 | 9.3 | 81 | 53.6 |
Hot drinks like coffee use | 72 | 47.8 | 18 | 11.9 | 90 | 59.7 |
Alcohol intake | 58 | 38.4 | 6 | 4.0 | 64 | 42.4 |
Hypnotics use | 5 | 3.3 | 2 | 1.3 | 7 | 4.6 |
Other substances use | 44 | 29.2 | 22 | 14.6 | 66 | 43.8 |
Time | Life time Khat chewers; n = 202 | |
---|---|---|
Number | Percent | |
Grade 1 - 6 | 4 | 2 |
Grade 7 - 8 | 6 | 3 |
Grade 9 - 10 | 30 | 14.9 |
Grade 11 - 12 | 60 | 29.7 |
First year in the university | 76 | 37.5 |
Second year in the university | 20 | 9.9 |
Third year in the university | 4 | 2 |
Fourth year in the university | 1 | 0.5 |
Fifth year in the university | 0 | 0 |
Other time | 1 | 0.5 |
Health risks | Number (n = 109) | Percent |
---|---|---|
Addiction | 31 | 28.4 |
Loss of weight | 54 | 49.5 |
Gastrointestinal problems | 38 | 34.9 |
Affect teeth | 62 | 56.9 |
Decrease sexual feeling | 59 | 54.1 |
Increase sexual feeling | 10 | 9.2 |
variables | Khat chewing | OR (95% CI) | P-value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | No | Crude | Adjusted | ||
Sex | |||||
Male | 123 | 514 | 1.86 (1.14, 3.02)* | 1.95 (1.10 - 3.47)* | 0.023 |
Female | 28 | 63 | 1 | 1 | |
Age category | |||||
<20 years | 6 | 58 | 3.37 (1.05, 10.76)* | 2.39 (0.60, 9.51) | 0.214 |
20 - 24 years | 137 | 496 | 1.26 (0.55, 2.88) | 0.82 (0.30, 2.28) | 0.713 |
>24 years | 8 | 23 | 1 | 1 | |
Department | |||||
NRM u | 17 | 35 | 0.75 (0.33, 1.69) | 0.55 (0.20, 1.53) | 0.245 |
Medicine | 11 | 92 | 3.04 (1.30, 7.10)* | 1.91 (0.69, 5.27) | 0.213 |
Law | 25 | 76 | 1.15 (0.56, 2.38) | 0.75 (0.29, 1.95) | 0.548 |
EENuu | 60 | 244 | 1.48 (0.78, 2.80) | 0.94 (0.43, 2.08) | 0.874 |
BAuuu | 22 | 83 | 1.37 (0.65, 2.88) | 1.15 (0.47, 2.83) | 0.768 |
EEuuuu | 16 | 44 | 1 | 1 | |
Year of study | |||||
Second year | 61 | 225 | 0.71 (0.34, 1.48) | 0.48 (0.19, 1.20) | 0.118 |
Third year | 63 | 213 | 0.65 (0.31, 1.35) | 0.48 (0.19, 1.22) | 0.120 |
Fourth year | 17 | 87 | 0.98 (0.42, 2.31) | 0.52 (0.17, 1.54) | 0.234 |
Fifth year | 10 | 52 | 1 | 1 | |
Marital status | |||||
Never married | 138 | 535 | 1.20 (0.63, 2.30) | 0.87 (0.40, 1.91) | 0.721 |
Ever married | 13 | 42 | 1 | 1 | |
Religion | |||||
Orthodox Christian | 89 | 318 | 0.72 (0.24, 2.15) | 0.81 (0.25, 2.60) | 0.722 |
Protestant Christian | 9 | 105 | 2.33 (0.66, 8.32) | 2.60 (0.68, 9.92) | 0.162 |
Muslim | 49 | 134 | 0.55 (0.18, 1.68) | 0.87 (0.26, 2.86) | 0.812 |
Other | 4 | 20 | 1 | 1 |
who were male chew Khat 1.95 times likely than female students. Similarly, the monthly pocket money of students getting equal to or more than 300 birr showed significant association with Khat chewing at P-value 0.019 with COR (95% CI) = 1.55 (1.07, 2.23) and P-value 0.045 with AOR (95% CI) =1.52 (1.01, 2.28). The students who got pocket monthly income of equal to or more than 300 birr were 1.52 times likely to chew Khat than students getting less than 300 birr monthly pocket money as shown in
Having a friend that chews Khat showed association at P-value 0.007 with COR (95% CI) = 1.69 (1.17, 2.44) and P-value 0.012 with AOR (95% CI) = 1.70 (1.12, 2.58). The students who report that their friends chew Khat were 1.70 times likely to chew Khat than students didn’t have. Being medicine student showed significant association with Khat chewing before adjustment as depicted in
Variables | Khat chewing | OR (95% CI) | P-value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | No | Crude | Adjusted | ||
Ethnicity | |||||
Amhara | 41 | 201 | 1.03 (1.03, 3.19) | 1.50 (0.42, 5.37) | 0.535 |
Oromo | 74 | 241 | 0.69 (0.23, 2.08) | 1.02 (0.29, 3.59) | 0.972 |
Gurage | 22 | 48 | 0.46 (0.14, 1.51) | 1.26 (0.33, 4.86) | 0.735 |
Tigre | 10 | 68 | 1.43 (0.40, 5.08) | 2.42 (0.58, 10.06) | 0.227 |
Other | 4 | 19 | 1 | 1 | |
Monthly pocket money | |||||
300 or more birr | 75 | 331 | 1.58 (1.10, 2.27)* | 1.52 (1.01, 2.28)* | 0.045 |
100 - 299 birr | 74 | 207 | 1 | 1 | |
Source of income | |||||
Family--Yes | 136 | 540 | 1.61 (0.86, 3.02) | 1.28 (0.54, 3.01) | 0.564 |
------------No | 15 | 37 | 1 | 1 | |
Friend----Yes | 18 | 53 | 0.75 (0.42, 1.32) | 1.01 (0.53, 1.99) | 0.931 |
-----------No | 133 | 524 | 1 | 1 | |
Relatives------Yes | 52 | 130 | 0.55 (0.38, 0.82)◊ | 0.58 (0.37, 0.91)◊ | 0.018 |
---------No | 99 | 447 | 1 | 1 | |
Own------------yes | 29 | 78 | 0.66 (0.41, 1.05) | 0.74 (0.40, 1.38) | 0.354 |
------------No | 122 | 499 | 1 | 1 | |
Family’s main source of income | |||||
Daily labourer | 5 | 24 | 1.20 (0.28, 5.16) | 1.16 (0.23, 5.97) | 0.869 |
Civil servant | 36 | 167 | 1.16 (0.37, 3.68) | 1.22 (0.34, 4.35) | 0.758 |
Merchant | 64 | 135 | 0.53 (0.17, 1.64) | 0.58 (0.16, 2.03) | 0.392 |
Farmer | 42 | 235 | 1.40 (0.45, 4.39) | 1.58 (0.44, 5.63) | 0.478 |
Other | 4 | 16 | 1 | 1 | |
Family chew Khat---Yes | 86 | 396 | 1.65 (1.15, 2.39)* | 1.72 (1.14, 2.59)* | 0.009 |
------No | 65 | 181 | 1 | 1 | |
Friend chew Khat---Yes | 88 | 405 | 1.69 (1.17, 2.44)* | 1.70 (1.12, 2.58)* | 0.012 |
------No | 63 | 172 | 1 | 1 |
u = Natural Resource Management; * = Association Present; ◊ = Protective P-Value <0.05; uu = Electrical Engineering; uuu = Business Administration; uuuu = Electrical Electronics.
This study was to determine the prevalence of Khat chewing among undergraduate Adama University students. In addition the study also planned to see the association between Khat chewing and common socio demographic variables and other key factors which may be associated with Khat chewing.
In this study the lifetime, twelve months and current prevalence of Khat chewing among undergraduate Adama University students were found to be 27.7%, 26.2% and 20.7% respectively.
The result of the study was lower compared to the study done in Buta Jira which was 55.7% and 50.5% life time and current Khat chewers respectively [
According to the result of study by Hussein M Ageely on the prevalence of Khat chewing in college and secondary school students of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia [
Khat chewing was also assessed among each departments of Adama University student even though there was scarcity of literature to discuss on each department. The life time prevalence of Khat chewing in engineering and computer college of Jazan region [
In this study about 42.4% and 53.6% students drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes respectively in addition to Khat chewing. In addition to these substances, the students also used shisha, hashish, hot and soft drinks, sugar and groundnuts during or after Khat chewing. This result is in line with other studies [
On average one chewer spent 19.78 birr each day for chewing Khat. Almost irrespective of the target groups, the money spent for Khat is equal to or greater than the previous studies [
Majority of the students in this study started Khat chewing when they were at senior secondary school and first year university students. This result supports other studies [
This study showed that the habit of Khat chewing was higher in males than females, which was in line with research findings reported in Jimma University students in 2008 [
The result of the study indicate high prevalence of Khat chewing with the factors monthly pocket money, family history of Khat chewing and friends history of Khat chewing. In this study monthly pocket money was associated with Khat chewing. This was consistent with a study conducted in Ethiopia on medical and health officer students which report that the students whose monthly income much birr were found to be chewers compared to those with lower income (P < 0.0001) [
In this study it was revealed that the presence of family members who chew Khat predisposes students to chew Khat. Likewise with the study in North West Ethiopia [
Having a friend who chews Khat was associated with Khat chewing. Students those reported having friends who chew Khat were 1.70 times more likely chew Khat than students didn’t report of having chewer friends. Previous studies also identified that friends’ chewing of Khat was strongly associated with the chewing of Khat among university students, indicating the influence of peer pressure [
In present study religion had no significant association with Khat chewing, but, study conducted among undergraduate students in Addis Ababa University showed being Muslim was strongly and positively associated with Khat chewing in the past year [
In this study ethnicity did not showed significant association with Khat chewing. In contrast of different studies revealed association of religion with Khat chewing such study from Jimma University medical and health officer students [
The study of all years and departments in the undergraduate Adama University students was strength of the study. The study used double data entry method, collectors and supervisors were trained, pre-test was done and equal chance was given for the sample attendant.
This study was not free of limitations. The limitations included the collection of data was based on self-report of the students and may be subjected to recall bias and under-reporting of Khat chewing due to social desirability bias. This is descriptive cross-sectional study that shows only point prevalence of Khat chewing and also inability to draw cause-effect associations between the studied variables. Other limitation with self reported questionnaires was inaccurate reporting.
According to the findings of this study, the lifetime, twelve months and current prevalence of Khat chewing among undergraduate students of Adama University was 27.7%, 26.2% and 20.7% respectively. The magnitude of Khat chewing among undergraduate students was considerable compared to most of studies done among college and university students, but lower than the findings of other studies that reported for adolescents and young adults (community based studies). Male sex, having monthly pocket money of ≥300.00 ETB, having chewer friend and parent were predictors of Khat chewing.
Based on the findings of the study and other established facts, the following recommendations were made:
u There is a need for early intervention that targets university students on Khat chewing. Universities should inform their students, about the problems associated with Khat chewing. The university should prepare open forums, regular workshops and conferences to create understanding on effects of Khat chewing in collaboration with psychiatrists and psychologists. Universities should teach and counsel their students on ways of coping with the problems rather than starting to chew Khat. In addition to this, there should be enough recreational areas for students in the university.
u Parental Khat chewing should also be addressed in adolescent Khat chewing prevention programs. Parents should be role models to their children by not chewing. They should not expose their children to Khat chewing. The students should also be informed about proper management of money.
u The ministry of education, high schools and university administrators should intervene accordingly by incorporating intervention programs, focusing on reducing Khat chewing prevalence. Policy makers should control the production and distribution of Khat.
u Through continuous awareness creation on the impact of Khat chewing, the students who were not chewers were not to be enforced by their Khat chewing friends, and the chewers should not enforce non-chewer friends to chew Khat.
First and for most, I give honour to GOD, the omnipotent for every protection to me and my families. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Alemayehu Mekonnen, for his friendly approach, assistance, concern, and support in each and every step of my thesis. My deepest gratitude also goes to all who assisted me in searching and providing me relevant literature references in particular School of Public Health librarians. I am also grateful to Addis Ababa University for coordinating as well as granting a fund to the thesis.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Adama Town Administrative Bureau and Revenue Bureau for their cooperation in giving me the background of Adama Town and the habit of Khat chewing in the Town. My special thanks also go to the Vice Dean, all the school heads, instructors and lecturers, administration bodies and registrar office of the Adama University, students who participated in the study, and data collectors.
Getu Teshome, (2015) Magnitude and Factors Associated with <i>Khat</i> Chewing among Undergraduate Students of Adama University, Oromia National Regional State, January 2012. Open Access Library Journal,02,1-17. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1100877