Use and perception of the psychostimulant, khat (catha edulis) among three occupational groups in south western Uganda

Document Type

Article

Department

Brain and Mind Institute

Abstract

Objective: To examine the use of and perception of the psychostimulant, khat (catha edulis) in three towns in south-western Uganda.

Design: Cross-sectional survey. Settings: Mbarara, Kabale and Fort Portal. Subjects: Three categories of respondents prone to khat chewing habit were selected; One hundred and thirty students, thirty five law enforcement officials and sixteen transporters.

Main outcome measures: Khat chewers existed within the sampled population. The relationship between tobacco smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and the khat chewing habit was established. Results: Out of 181 respondents, 164(90.6%) had heard of khat, 126(69.6%) had seen it and 57(31.5%) had chewed khat before. As at the time of this study, 37(20.4%) still chewed khat. Within the three categories of subjects, the use of khat was highest among law enforcement officials (97.1%), followed by transporters (68.8%) and students (9.2%). The majority of khat chewers were in the age range of 16-25 years. There was a clear correlation between khat chewing and the use of stimulants such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco smoking. Those who smoked cigarettes were twenty-eight times more likely to chew khat (OR=28.95% Cl=9.6,83.7). Euphoria, suppressed sleep and increased sexual desire were the most predominant effects experienced by khat chewers. Conclusion: The knowledge of khat is widespread and its consumption is on the increase among students, law enforcement officials and transporters in south-western Uganda. This calls for attention considering the public health implications

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

East African Medical Journal

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