Abstract
BackgroundKhat is widely consumed among the youth of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. However, its prevalence is not well documented.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of khat chewing among college and secondary school students in Jazan region.MethodsThe study was conducted in May 2006 in the colleges and secondary schools in Jazan region. A sample of 10,000 students aged between 15 and 25 years was randomly selected. Students in each year of study were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.ResultsThe overall prevalence of khat chewing in all the studied population was 21.4% (colleges 15.2% versus schools 21.5%). There were 3.8% female khat chewers and 37.70% male Khat chewers. Significant differences were found between khat chewers according to age, gender and residence (p < 0.05). The prevalence was different in different colleges and in different provinces of Jazan region.ConclusionThe prevalence of Khat chewing seems to be high among male students and not remarkable among female students. The use of Khat is significantly associated with age, gender, residence and school and college education (p < 0.05) among students of Jazan region. Strong measures need to be taken for greater awareness among school and college students to reduce its prevalence.
Highlights
Khat is widely consumed among the youth of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia
The use of Khat is significantly associated with age, gender, residence and school and college education (p < 0.05) among students of Jazan region
Strong measures need to be taken for greater awareness among school and college students to reduce its prevalence
Summary
Khat is widely consumed among the youth of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Khat is a natural stimulant from the Catha Edulis plant that is cultivated in the Republic of Yemen and most of the countries of East Africa. Its young buds and tender leaves are chewed to attain a state of euphoria and stimulation [1]. The khat chewers experience a sense of increasedenergy levels, increased alertness and ability to concentrate, improvement in self-esteem and an increase in libido [2]. Some khat chewers experience anxiety, tension, restlessness, hypnologic hallucinations, hypomania and aggressive behaviour or psychosis [4,5]. Khat leaves has vasoconstrictor properties [8] that may lead to elevated blood pres-
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