Khat Dependency and Psychophysical Symptoms among Chewers in Jazan Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Maged El-Setouhy,Abdallah Alsharqi,Ahmed A Ismail,Rashad M Alsanosy

doi:10.1155/2016/2642506

Maged El-Setouhy, Abdallah Alsharqi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2642506

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Abstract

Background. Khat chewing is highly prevalent in Africa, Yemen and Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia. Most of Jazani Khat chewers consider khat session as a social activity and do not consider khat dependency. The aim of this study was to explore khat dependency and its relationship with the psychophysical symptoms among chewers. Methods. Cross-sectional study on seventy Saudi male khat chewers living in Jazan area. Psychological dependence to khat chewing was evaluated using the Severity of Dependency Scale (SDS). The participants filled in a self-administrated assisted structured questionnaire designed to collect data about their medical history, neurological symptoms, and their chewing behavior. Results. Half (52.2%) of khat chewers showed psychological dependency. Those having longer khat sessions (≥6 hours) were more liable for dependency. Physical and psychological symptoms were more prevalent among khat dependent chewers. Conclusions. khat has a psychological dependence effect that can be measured by the SDS, even in low doses and with irregular use. SDS scale is a useful tool to expect the burden of either physical or psychological symptoms on khat chewers.

Highlights

Chewing and cultivation of khat are common in the East African countries and Arabian Peninsula [1]
We considered three main factors in creating this study: the first factor is the denial of khat dependence among Jazan khat chewers: they consider it merely as a social gathering substance like tea and coffee [1, 37] quitters expressed withdrawal symptoms [37]; second, khat cultivation, trafficking, selling, and use are prohibited in Saudi Arabia which forces chewers to use it on irregular bases and with a lesser amount than those living in countries where khat is legal [37, 39]
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan region, which is located at the far southwest of Saudi Arabia during the period from October 2011 to May 2012

Summary

Introduction

Chewing and cultivation of khat are common in the East African countries and Arabian Peninsula [1]. Khat stimulant effect is attributed to its contents of cathinone, cathine, cathidine, Eduline, and ephedrine [3]. Khat chewing is highly prevalent in Africa, Yemen and Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to explore khat dependency and its relationship with the psychophysical symptoms among chewers. Cross-sectional study on seventy Saudi male khat chewers living in Jazan area. Psychological dependence to khat chewing was evaluated using the Severity of Dependency Scale (SDS). Half (52.2%) of khat chewers showed psychological dependency. Physical and psychological symptoms were more prevalent among khat dependent chewers. Khat has a psychological dependence effect that can be measured by the SDS, even in low doses and with irregular use. SDS scale is a useful tool to expect the burden of either physical or psychological symptoms on khat chewers

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Discussion

Conclusion