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Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) Dependence Potential and Pattern of Use in Saudi Arabia
Joint Authors
Mohamed Elhassan Taha, Manal
Alsanosy, Rashad Mohammed
Rahim, Bahaa-eldin E. A.
Taha, Sara
El-Setouhy, Maged
Abdel Wahab, Siddig Ibrahim
Mohan, Syam
Source
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-08-24
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
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).
Conclusion.
Our study provides important information on the pattern of Khat use and its potential to cause dependence.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Abdel Wahab, Siddig Ibrahim& Alsanosy, Rashad Mohammed& Rahim, Bahaa-eldin E. A.& Mohan, Syam& Taha, Sara& Mohamed Elhassan Taha, Manal…[et al.]. 2015. Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) Dependence Potential and Pattern of Use in Saudi Arabia. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1056091
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Abdel Wahab, Siddig Ibrahim…[et al.]. Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) Dependence Potential and Pattern of Use in Saudi Arabia. BioMed Research International No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1056091
American Medical Association (AMA)
Abdel Wahab, Siddig Ibrahim& Alsanosy, Rashad Mohammed& Rahim, Bahaa-eldin E. A.& Mohan, Syam& Taha, Sara& Mohamed Elhassan Taha, Manal…[et al.]. Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) Dependence Potential and Pattern of Use in Saudi Arabia. BioMed Research International. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1056091
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1056091