Back to Search
Start Over
Khat chewing amongst UK resident male Yemeni adults: an exploratory study.
- Source :
-
International dental journal [Int Dent J] 2006 Apr; Vol. 56 (2), pp. 97-101. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Aim: This cross sectional study recruited adult male Yemeni residents in Sheffield and Birmingham, UK, to assess their use of khat.<br />Methods: Structured interviews were conducted in both areas during weekly khat chewing sessions. The data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, khat use, dependency on khat, psychological functioning of chewers (GHQ-12) and nicotine dependency. Patterns of khat use, dependency and psychological functioning were correlated with age and self-reported oral problems.<br />Results: 75 khat chewing volunteers (mean age 40.75 years) were interviewed. Average age of starting khat chewing was 17 years. The weekly amount chewed ranged from 0.25-3.0 khat bundles. Older respondents were more likely to be frequent chewers (p<0.025). 39% were assessed as dependent on khat, which correlated with frequency of use (p<0.041) and being in debt (p<0.046). Khat chewing correlated with nicotine dependence (p< 0.014). Self-reported oral problems correlated with both nicotine (p<0.04) and khat dependence (p<0.001). 93% reported that khat chewing promoted excessive smoking and 12% that this practice had initiated their tobacco use.<br />Conclusions: Khat chewing creates dependency and correlates with tobacco smoking and nicotine dependence. Further research should investigate the correlations between khat and nicotine dependence. Development of a specific measure of khat dependence is recommended.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitude to Health
Cross-Sectional Studies
England
Humans
London
Male
Middle Aged
Mouth Diseases classification
Pilot Projects
Smoking
Social Behavior
Socioeconomic Factors
Substance-Related Disorders classification
Substance-Related Disorders psychology
Tobacco Use Disorder classification
Tobacco Use Disorder psychology
Yemen ethnology
Catha
Ethnicity
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0020-6539
- Volume :
- 56
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International dental journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16620038
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1875-595x.2006.tb00080.x