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KMID : 1038520150370010011
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Epidemiology and Health
2015 Volume.37 No. 1 p.11 ~ p.0
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Oral symptoms significantly higher among long-term khat (Catha edulis) users in Ethiopia
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Astatkie Ayalew
Demissie Meaza
Berhane Yemane
Worku Alemayeh
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Abstract
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OBJECTIVES: Associations between khat (Catha edulis) chewing and different adverse oral-dental health conditions have been reported, yet evidence is still lacking. This study was designed to investigate the association between long-term regular khat chewing and self-reported oral symptoms.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1,255 university students in southern Ethiopia. Data on khat chewing status, a range of oral symptoms and other pertinent variables were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The association between long-term regular khat chewing and oral symptom count was investigated using negative binomial regression.
RESULTS: The mean oral symptom count among long-term regular khat chewers was 1.75 (standard deviation [SD], 2.18; standard error [SE], 0.31), whereas that among those who were not long-term regular khat chewers was 1.18 (SD, 1.68; SE, 0.10). After adjustment for other variables, long-term regular khat chewers had approximately 50% more oral symptoms than those who were not long-term chewers did (adjusted count ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 2.10).
CONCLUSIONS: Long-term khat chewing negatively affects the oral health of young university students.
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KEYWORD
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Khat, Catha edulis, Oral health, University, Students
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