Exploration of adverse psychological symptoms in Yemeni khat users by the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90).

Abstract

The present study was aimed at assessing associations between psychological symptoms and khat use in the Yemeni population. The survey was performed in 2000/2001, in different zones including three urban and three rural areas. The survey was carried out in 800 Yemeni adults (15-76), both male and female, representing mainly urban populations of students, state employees and housewives. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken using face-to-face interviews and no preset selection criteria regarding profession, socio-economic status, age or gender. The Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) was used containing 90 items, which cover nine scales of the following domains: somatization, depression, anxiety, phobia, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia and psychoticism. Details of khat use and socio-demographic data were also collected. At least one life-time episode of khat use was reported in 81.6% of men and 43.3% of women. Male users tended to use more frequently. The incidence of adverse psychological symptoms was not greater in khat users; in fact, there was a negative association between the incidence of phobic symptoms and khat use. Khat use is very common in the Yemeni population, particularly men, but it is not associated with adverse psychological symptoms.