Abstract
The use or misuse of addictive substances like khat has become widespread among the youths especially in countries where the substance is produced and/or consumed. In this paper, we examine whether khat use has any impact on the academic achievement of university students with particular reference to undergraduates in Jimma University, Ethiopia. Using data gathered from students between May to June 2011, the two-limit tobit model was employed to estimate the effect of khat use on students’ grade point average (GPA), a measure of students’ academic performance. The results reveal that khat use has a negative influence on students’ academic performance at the university. On the other hand, however, students’ academic performance at the university is positively related to their past performance (university entrance examination score) as well as parental education (household head) among others. Awareness creation on the negative impacts of the use of addictive substances like khat should, therefore, be carried out by the university management, local governments at various levels and policy makers at large. Interventions that target preparatory level education would, therefore, have higher returns in terms of human capital development. Key words: Khat use, substance abuse, academic performance, Jimma University, Ethiopia, Catha edulis Forsk
Highlights
The use or misuse of addictive substances like khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is becoming increasingly widespread in recent years especially among the youth in general and university students in particular (Tesfaye et al, 2008; Belew et al, 2000)
We examine whether khat use has any impact on the academic achievement of university students with particular reference to undergraduates in Jimma University, Ethiopia
In this paper we examine the determinants of khat use and its impact on academic performance of undergraduate students at Jimma University
Summary
The use or misuse of addictive substances like khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is becoming increasingly widespread in recent years especially among the youth in general and university students in particular (Tesfaye et al, 2008; Belew et al, 2000). With regard to psychological effects of khat use, it is widely considered in the literature that users report their subjective experiences in a positive way when consuming small amounts. They describe a feeling of well-being, a sense of exhilaration, excitement, increased energy levels, increased alertness, increased ability to concentrate, and improvement in self-esteem. Others argue that moderate khat use improves performance and increases work output, owing to the stimulant and fatiguepostponing effects. Our paper attempts to bridge this gap in the literature by analysing the impact of khat use on performance quantitatively, using survey data gathered from undergraduate students. Some students were reluctant to reveal their grades/scores and this has led to missing information for those variables
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