Abstract
BackgroundThe use of khat among youths can be harmful leading to decreased academic performance, increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases or other psychiatric symptoms. It is believed to be one of the factors associated with unprotected risky sexual behavior predisposing the youth for HIV infection and transmission.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in South West Ethiopia. A total of 410 participants were recruited in the study using stratified sampling technique. Data were collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression and Cox regression were used to assess the association of independent variables with the outcome variable.ResultKhat use was positively associated with male gender (OR 2.9; C.I. 1.4 to 6.0), alcohol use (OR 4.8; C.I. 2.1 to 10.6), no education level (OR 2.6; C.I. 1.1 to 6.2) and not having communication with parents about khat chewing (OR 2.6; C.I. 1.1 to 6.2).ConclusionStrategies should be designed to increase awareness of factors associated with khat use among youths and their parents in order to reduce the prevalence of khat use and its adverse social and health consequences.
Highlights
The use of khat among youths can be harmful leading to decreased academic performance, increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases or other psychiatric symptoms
Strategies should be designed to increase awareness of factors associated with khat use among youths and their parents in order to reduce the prevalence of khat use and its adverse social and health consequences
According to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey report, the point prevalence of khat chewing among men and women during 2011 is 28% and 11% respectively
Summary
The use of khat among youths can be harmful leading to decreased academic performance, increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases or other psychiatric symptoms. Khat is widely consumed among the youths of Ethiopia as shown by several prevalence studies [3,4]. According to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey report, the point prevalence of khat chewing among men and women during 2011 is 28% and 11% respectively. Among both women and men, khat use increases with age. Khat consumption is higher in rural areas than in urban areas (12 percent versus 7 percent) while
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