Psychoactive Substances Use (Khat, Alcohol and Tobacco) and Associated Factors among Debre Markos University Students, North-West Ethiopia, 2013

Use of substances such as alcohol, khat leaves (Catha edulis) and tobacco has become one of the rising major public health and socioeconomic problems worldwide [1]. Recent trends indicate that the use of substances have dramatically increased particularly in developing countries [1]. Alcohol, especially in high doses, or when combined with khat or tobacco, continues to claim the lives of many people. It is estimated that 9% of the global population aged 12 or older are classified with dependence on psychoactive substances such as alcohol [2]. Heavy consumption of khat is associated with euphoria, hyperactivity, anorexia, insomnia, lethargy and depression. In addition, the combined use of alcohol and khat could increase sexual risky behavior contributing to the spread of human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) infection [2,3].