title: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) Dependence Potential and Pattern of Use in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat) is used for its psychoactive effects among people in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, although its utilization is illegal in some countries such as Saudi Arabia. This study examined the pattern of Khat use and assessed the applicability of the Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 (DAST-10) to measure Khat dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pretested questionnaire was used to gather data from 603 respondents. Variables included demographic characteristics, pattern of use, reasons for Khat chewing, and DAST-10. Stepwise-logistic regression was used to explore predictors of Khat dependence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the respondents were married, had a secondary school level of education, were employed, were younger than 35 years old, and were living in rural areas. Many chewers gave more than one reason for using Khat. It was mainly used to increase mental capacity, physical strength, and social entertainment, as well as enhance cheerfulness and orgasms. Statistical modeling of Khat dependence suggested that the most significant predictors were residence (OR = 1.67, P < 0.02), frequency of Khat chewing (OR = 4.8, P < 0.01), age of starting Khat chewing (OR = 1.15, P < 0.01), and time of Khat effect (OR = 1.15, P < 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provides important information on the pattern of Khat use and its potential to cause dependence.
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Siddig Ibrahim
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Abdelwahab
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Rashad Mohammed
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alsanosy
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Bahaa-Eldin E A
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Rahim
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Syam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Manal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohamed Elhassan
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 11420, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Maged
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Setouhy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000368:Aged; D029754:Catha; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires