title: Khat chewing among students of higher education in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia: prevalence, pattern, and related factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse Research Center (SARC), Jazan University and the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Rashad Mohammed
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alsanosy
authors.forename: Mohamed Salih
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
authors.forename: Abdelrahim Mutwakel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gaffar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D029754:Catha; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs