Khat chewing amongst UK resident male Yemeni adults: an exploratory study

This cross sectional study recruited adult male Yemeni residents in Sheffield and Birmingham, UK, to assess their use of khat.

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.

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.

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.