title: Factors associated with Khat use among youths visiting HIV testing and counseling centers in Gamo Gofa, Southern Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of khat among youths can be harmful leading to decreased academic performance, increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases or other psychiatric symptoms. It is believed to be one of the factors associated with unprotected risky sexual behavior predisposing the youth for HIV infection and transmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in South West Ethiopia. A total of 410 participants were recruited in the study using stratified sampling technique. Data were collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression and Cox regression were used to assess the association of independent variables with the outcome variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Khat use was positively associated with male gender (OR 2.9; C.I. 1.4 to 6.0), alcohol use (OR 4.8; C.I. 2.1 to 10.6), no education level (OR 2.6; C.I. 1.1 to 6.2) and not having communication with parents about khat chewing (OR 2.6; C.I. 1.1 to 6.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies should be designed to increase awareness of factors associated with khat use among youths and their parents in order to reduce the prevalence of khat use and its adverse social and health consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba-Minch University, P,O, Box: 21, Arba-Minch, Ethiopia. marikum74@Gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marelign
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tilahun
authors.forename: Gistane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ayele
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D029754:Catha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult