Behavioural Patterns of Khat Chewing and their Impact on Hypertension: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study in Mogadishu, Somalia
Kassim HagiHossain
Dr. Kassim Hagi Hossain, Senior Pathologist, NOVA Diagnostic and Research, Mogadishu Somalia, doctorqaasim@gmail.com
Md BiplobHossain
Md. Biplob Hossain, Molecular Specialist, NOVA Diagnostic and Research, Mogadishu, Somalia, biplobali17@gmail.com
Abdirahim Ahmed
Dr. Abdirahim Ahmed, Medical Director, NOVA Diagnostic and Research, Mogadishu, Somalia, abdirahim@nova.com
Abdullahi Tukade
Abdullahi Tukade, Head of Training and Research, NOVA Diagnostic and Research, Mogadishu, Somalia, shabeeldhaka1@gmail.com
Afrin Haque
Afrin Haque, Scientific Officer, BIHS General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, afrinhaque95@gmail.com
Chomel Mahbub
Chomel Mahbub, Scientific Officer, BIHS General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, chomel60@gmail.com
Md. AshiqurRahman
Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Quality Manager, Novus Clinical Research Services Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh, ararashiqur@gmail.com
Sadia Islam
Sadia Islam, Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Specialized Hospital PLC, Dhaka, Bangladesh, sadia.buhs.6700@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ear.v3i1.7855
Keywords: Khat chewing; Hypertension; Systolic blood pressure; Diastolic pressure; Prevalence
Abstract
Background: Catha edulis, commonly known as khat, is prominent for its stimulating effects and is widely chewed in regions such as eastern and western Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. Although some perceive khat to have certain benefits, its consumption has been linked to various negative health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of hypertension among khat users and assess how demographic factors, smoking, and patterns of khat consumption contribute to the risk of developing hypertension. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Mogadishu, Somalia, between August 2018 and June 2019, involving 192 participants. The study population included individuals aged between 20 and 70 years who had the habit of khat chewing. Blood pressure measurements were taken following standard protocols. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS software with statistical significance defined as p
References
1.Mahfouz, M.S., Rahim, B.E.E., Solan, Y.M., Makeen, A.M. and Alsanosy, R.M., 2015. Khat chewing habits in the population of the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia: prevalence and associated factors. PloS one, 10(8), p.e0134545.
2.Nigussie, K., Negash, A., Sertsu, A., Mulugeta, A., Tamire, A., Kassa, O., Abdeta, T. and Dereje, J., 2023. Khat chewing and associated factors among public secondary school students in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, p.1198851.
3.Toennes, S.W., Harder, S., Schramm, M., Niess, C. and Kauert, G.F., 2003. Pharmacokinetics of cathinone, cathine and norephedrine after the chewing of khat leaves. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 56(1), pp.125-130.
4.Odenwald, M., Hinkel, H., Schauer, E., Neuner, F., Schauer, M., Elbert, T.R. and Rockstroh, B., 2007. The consumption of khat and other drugs in Somali combatants: a cross-sectional study. PLoS medicine, 4(12), p.e341.
5.Gebissa, E., 2010. Khat in the Horn of Africa: Historical perspectives and current trends. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 132(3), pp.607-614.
7.Hassan, N.A., Gunaid, A.A., El-Khally, F.M. and Murray-Lyon, I.M., 2002. The effect of chewing Khat leaves on human mood. Neurosciences Journal, 7(3), pp.184-187.
8.Odenwald, M. and Al'Absi, M., 2017. Khat use and related addiction, mental health and physical disorders: the need to address a growing risk. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 23(3).
9.Astatkie, A., Demissie, M., Berhane, Y. and Worku, A., 2015. Prevalence of and factors associated with regular khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, pp.41-50.
10.Gebrehanna, E., Berhane, Y. and Worku, A., 2014. Khat chewing among Ethiopian University Students-a growing concern. BMC public health, 14, pp.1-7.
11.Gebiresilus, A.G., Gebresilus, B.G., Yizengaw, S.S., Sewasew, D.T. and Mengesha, T.Z., 2014. Khat use prevalence, causes and its effect on mental health, Bahir-Dar, north west Ethiopia. European Scientific Journal, 10(23).
12.Kebede, Y., 2002. Cigarette smoking and Khat chewing among college students in North West Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 16(1), pp.9-17.
13.Islam S, AshiqurRahman M, AnamChowdhury S, Rahaman S. A review: Serum Lipid Profile Status in Cardiovascular Disease. Molecular Mechanism Research. 2023 Dec 13;1(1):135-.
14.Alsanosy, R.M., Mahfouz, M.S. and Gaffar, A.M., 2013. Khat chewing habit among school students of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Plos one, 8(6), p.e65504.
15.Astatkie, A., Demissie, M., Berhane, Y. and Worku, A., 2015. Prevalence of and factors associated with regular khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, pp.41-50.
16.Gelaw, Y. and Haile-Amlak, A., 2004. Khat chewing and its socio-demographic correlates among the staff of Jimma University. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 18(3), pp.179-184.
17.Mahfouz, M.S., Rahim, B.E.E., Solan, Y.M., Makeen, A.M. and Alsanosy, R.M., 2015. Khat chewing habits in the population of the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia: prevalence and associated factors. PloS one, 10(8), p.e0134545.
18.Reda, A.A., Moges, A., Biadgilign, S. and Wondmagegn, B.Y., 2012. Prevalence and determinants of khat (Catha edulis) chewing among high school students in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS one, 7(3), p.e33946.
19.Ayano G, Yohannis K, Abraha M. Epidemiology of khat (Catha edulis) consumption among university students: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):150. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6495-9
20.Mains, D., Hadley, C. and Tessema, F., 2013. Chewing over the future: khat consumption, anxiety, depression, and time among young men in Jimma, Ethiopia. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 37, pp.111-130.
21.Gumaih, H.S., 2017. The Effect of Khat Chewing on Blood Pressure and the Correlation between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure among Yemeni People in Sana'a City. Al-Razi University Journal for Medical Sciences, 1(1).
22.Geta, T.G., Woldeamanuel, G.G., Hailemariam, B.Z. and Bedada, D.T., 2019. Association of chronic khat chewing with blood pressure and predictors of hypertension among adults in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a comparative study. Integrated blood pressure control, pp.33-42.
23.Chong, Z.X., Alshagga, M., Saed, K.A. and Kassim, S., 2017. Impact of khat (catha edulis) chewing/use on heart rate and blood pressure: a critical review. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 17(3), pp.76-85.
24.Hanna, S.T., 2006. Nicotine effect on cardiovascular system and ion channels. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 47(3), pp.348-358.