Khat Chewing among Students of Higher Education in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia: Prevalence, Pattern, and Related Factors

Abstract

Objectives. (1) To estimate the prevalence and behavioral patterns of Khat chewing and (2) to investigate factors that influenced the pattern of Khat use among undergraduate students in different higher education institutions in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study using a pretested structured self-administered quantitative questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS version 17 software program was used for data analysis. Results. The overall current Khat chewing prevalence among higher education students was found to be 23.1%, significantly higher among males at 38.5% than among females at 2.1% (P < 0.001). Lifetime Khat chewer students were 24.8% for males at 40.5%, significantly higher compared with females at 3.7% (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that the gender of student, smoking status of student, a friend's smoking, and Khat chewing were associated with a significant high risk of Khat chewing (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions. The use of Khat trend is increasing among higher education students in Jazan region. A multilevel, value based, comprehensive, and strategic long-term intervention plan is needed. The comprehensive plan may include social interventions geared by creating recreations alternatives and opportunities for youth and a critical review for current authorities' interventions and services.

Prevalence, Pattern and Associated Factors of Khat Chewing Among Debre Berhan University Students, Ethiopia, 2014

“…The result is different from the findings reported by Alsanosy and his peers in Jazan region [5] that most (43.8%) of the participants chewed khat in their houses. This might be due to that the participants in the previous study area were using dormitory services in their home that gave them a good opportunity for chewing at their home freely.…”

“…This might be due to that the participants in the previous study area were using dormitory services in their home that gave them a good opportunity for chewing at their home freely. Similarly, in our study setting most (85%) students reported that they can find khat easily, which is almost consistent with the study done in Jazan higher education [5]. This shows that khat is available for students who want to chew.…”

“…Conversely, our finding is lower than findings stated by Alsanosy RM et al, in higher education institution of Jazan region (24.8%) [5], study from Saudi Arabia secondary high schools mentioned by Mahfouz MS et al (24.2%) [24], South Western Uganda reported by Ihunwo and Amadi (32%) [25], from Addis Ababa private and Butajira governmental schools (35.6% and 31%), respectively as mentioned by Kassaye M et al [15], staff of Jimma University (46%) [26], Jimma city community (37.8%) [9], Jimma university students (33.1%) [16], Hosanna Health science students (27.7%) [17], southwestern Ethiopia (64.9%) [18], Arbaminch town (27%) [27], Adama University (40%) [10], Axum University students (28.8%) [19], and in four colleges of North western Ethiopia (26.7%) [28]. The possible reason might be due to their current accommodation that almost all of the students in this study area are using bed and food services in the university.…”

“…Most of the chewers (78%) bought khat from khat sellers which show that students have an access and are free to buy as well as to chew without any degradation. This result is almost the same as the study finding reported by Alsanosy [5]. Regarding the time of khat chewing, most of the students (57%) were chewing khat in the afternoon which was different from the result found in Jazan higher education research that most of them chewed at night [5].…”

“…Most chewing sessions took place at weekends usually in social gatherings after 8 pm with an average duration of about 6 hours that makes students to waste long time in khat session, unable to sleep, absent from school and impaired activity in the morning following the khat session. This in turn makes students to have poor academic performance [5].…”