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

Andargachew Kassa, Eskindir Loha, Atkilt Esaiyas

1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa,
Ethiopia
2. School of Public and Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University,
Hawassa, Ethiopia
3. School of Medicine, Physiology Unit, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University,
Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Abstract
Background: Khat use is a well-established public health problem in Yemen, Arabian Peninsula, and Ethiopia. Along with its large scale production, the magnitude of khat use is increasing among students.

Objective: This study was intended to assess the prevalence, determinants, and effect of khat use on academic performance of high school students in Sidama Ethiopia.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2015. We used a stratified sampling technique to draw a total of 1,577students. The data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to determine the prevalence, effects, and predictors of khat use.

Result:The life time and current prevalence of khat use were 14.6% and 13%, respectively. Smoking cigarette (AOR=5.1, 95% C.I: 2.3-14.3), drinking alcohol (AOR=3.0, 95% C.I: 1.4-6.3), having a family growing khat (AOR=2.0, 95% C.I: 1.1-2.5), having friend chewing khat (AOR=3. 95% C.I: 2.0-4.6), were some of factors that increased the odds of students’ khat use. Student’s khat use increased the odds of student’s poor academic performance (AOR=2.1, 95% C.I: 1.1-3.9).

Conclusion: The prevalence of khat use in high khat producing districts of Sidama and its contribution to poor academic performance demand prompt intervention.

Keywords:Khat, high school student, academic performance, Ethiopia.