title: Perceived Psychological, Economic, and Social Impact of Khat Chewing among Adolescents and Adults in Nekemte Town, East Welega Zone, West Ethiopia.
abstract: The main aim of this study was to assess psychological, economic, and social impact of khat chewing among adolescents, in Nekemte town, East Welega Zone. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2016 using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. A total of 359 samples were included in the study. A pretested, interviewer based structured questionnaire was employed during data collection. The study found the current prevalence of khat chewing practices was 48.6%. Perceived psychological problems especially depression and anxiety were associated with khat chewing practices. The risk of depression was about 25 times higher among khat chewers compared to nonchewers. Similarly the risk of anxiety among khat chewers was about 5 times higher compared to nonchewers. Generally current khat chewing practices in the study area are relatively high. The occurrence of reported, perceived psychological problems mainly depression and anxiety was significantly higher among khat chewers compared to nonchewers. Thus efforts like creating awareness about negative effect, making different recreation methods available, and formulating common conventions regarding khat use mainly by young generations are necessary to decrease the magnitude of chewing practices and thereby its associated consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Amsalu Taye
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2476-4377
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Wondemagegn
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Melese Chego
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cheme
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Kelemu Tilahun
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kibret
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D029754:Catha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires