Khat chewing and health related quality of life: cross-sectional study in Jazan region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundThe chewing of Khat leaves, a natural psychoactive substance is widely chewed in countries of East Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, and is reported to be associated with a range of unfavorable health outcomes including khat dependence. The impact of Khat chewing on Health Related Quality of Life is yet to be explored. Aims: to measure and compare the quality of life of the khat chewers and non-khat chewers using a short form health survey (SF36), and to assess factors associated with Khat chewing using SF36 in a sample of adult population in Jazan region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.MethodsA total of 630 participants from two independent male populations of khat chewers and non-khat chewers were recruited into a cross-sectional survey study. A self administrative survey based on the SF-36 questionnaire was used to collect data on measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Socioeconomic data of the respondents were also collected for detailed analysis. Data analysis include: descriptive statistics, reliability tests (Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient), and bivariate analysis (Chi square and Mann–Whitney U-test) to compare HRQoL of Khat chewers and non-Khat chewers.ResultsThe odds of being a khat chewer were higher in respondents with a lower socioeconomic status. The SF-36 scores were significantly lower in all domains for respondents with khat chewing, indicating that non-khat chewers had higher health perceptions compared with those chewing khat. The overall mean score of HRQoL for non-khat chewers was 92.7% (SD 5.53) compared with 63.5% (SD 21.73) for the khat chewing group. The study had shown good internal consistency and reproducibility across the eight subscales of SF-36 questionnaire (α 0.74-0.95). The Mann–Whitney U-test showed a significant difference between khat chewers and non-khat chewers (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study measured and compared the quality of life of khat chewers and non-khat chewers using a generic health survey (SF36). The study had shown that khat chewing is associated with lower quality of life (HRQoL) and lower socioeconomic status. However in future a more refined SF36 developed especially for Khat chewers can provide more useful information.

<p>Khat Chewing and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus</p>

“…6 Khat is commonly abused by Ethiopian and Somali people in East Africa and Yemeni people in the southern Arabian Peninsula. 7 With the recent globalization, African and Arabian immigrants have spread khat chewing to Europe, 8,9 Australia 10,11 and the United States. 12 The World Health Organization (WHO) categorized khat as an illegal drug and indicated that its abuse may cause a range of health problems.…”

Doppler Assessment of the Effect of Chewing Qat on Hemodynamics of the Common Carotid Arteries

“…Qator Khat (Catha edulis) is an herbal product consisting of the leaves and shoots of the shrub Catha edulis. It is cultivated as a bush or small tree in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, harvested and then chewed to obtain a stimulant effect 1 . In Somalia chewing qat is deeply integrated into the social and cultural norms of the community.…”

Prevalence of khat chewing and its effect on academic performance in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…The growing research evidence shows that khat is a risk factor for different cardio-vascular disorders such as hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, and stroke 3,4 . Khat is also a risk factor for poor oral health 5 , psychosis 6 , mental distress 7 , anemia 8 , poor quality of life 9 , disturbed sleep pattern [10][11][12] , and duodenal ulcer 13 .…”