Abstract
BackgroundKhat consumption is widespread in Yemeni society and causes problems both in economic development and public health. Preventive measures have been largely unsuccessful and the cultivation continues to proliferate. The gender-specific motives for khat use and abstinence were studied to create a toe-hold for more specific interventions.MethodsIn a quota sample with equal numbers of males, females, abstainers and consumers, 320 subjects were interviewed on their specific opinions about khat and its impact on subjective and public health, and on social and community functioning. Strata were compared in their acceptance and denial of opinions. Notions that could predict abstinence status or gender were identified with multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsMale khat users had a strong identification with khat use, while females were more ambivalent. The notion that khat consumption is a bad habit (odds ratio (OR) 3.4; p < 0.001) and consumers are malnuorished (OR 2.2; p = 0.046) were associated with female gender among khat users. Among the females worries about health impact (OR 3.2; p = 0.040) and loss of esteem in the family (OR 3.1; p = 0.048) when using khat predicted abstinence. Male abstainers opposed khat users in the belief that khat is the cause of social problems (OR 5.1, p < 0.001). Logistic regression reached an accuracy of 75 and 73% for the prediction of abstinence and 71% for gender among consumers. (All models p < 0.001.)ConclusionsDistinct beliefs allow a differentiation between males, females, khat users and abstainers when targeting preventive measures. In accordance to their specific values female khat users are most ambivalent towards their habit. Positive opinions scored lower than expected in the consumers. This finding creates a strong toe-hold for gender-specific public health interventions.
Highlights
Substance Use and Misuse 2008, 43. 21
Khat use is widespread in Yemeni society and causes problems both in economic development and public health [1]
Almost all subjects had some sort of schooling (95%), and those who had received vocational training or college education were predominantly male
Summary
Substance Use and Misuse 2008, 43. 21. Elmi ASThe chewing of khat in Somalia. Belew M, Kebede D, Kassaye M, Enquoselassie F: The magnitude of khat use and its association with health, nutrition and socio-economic status. Khat consumption is widespread in Yemeni society and causes problems both in economic development and public health. Khat (qat, kat) use is widespread in Yemeni society and causes problems both in economic development and public health [1]. Between 1970 and 2000 the area devoted to khat cultivation ballooned from 8000 to 103 000 hectares [3]. Khat use is widespread in some parts of Yemen, even among children. Much of the day is spent buying and chewing khat, severely affecting working hours and family income [8]. Khat has been used traditionally in mainly male social rituals, get-togethers lasting for hours creating cultural identity, even among immigrants [9]. Khat is used by workers to reduce feelings of fatigue
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