Although more emphasis has been given to the genetic and environmental factors that determine host vulnerability to malaria, other factors that might have a crucial role in burdening the disease have not been evaluated yet. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the effect of khat chewing on the incidence of severe malaria syndromes and immune responses during malaria infection in an area...

Khat chewing is a widespread habit that has a deep-rooted socio-cultural tradition in East Africa and in the Middle East. Although a number of investigations have been carried out using cathinone, the psychoactive component of khat, these may not wholly reflect the behavioral effects observed after administering khat in a dosage similar to those used traditionally. The aim of the present study ...

AIM In this article, we comment on the current international discourse on khat, we highlight pitfalls and and suggest balanced national international regulatory actions. METHOD A brief an focussed review of the available literature on khat and health and examples from our own research are provided. RESULTS The use patterns of catha edulis (khat) have changed throughout the last decades. Dur...

BACKGROUND The use of Khat leaves (Catha edulis) in Jazan, southwest of KSA, is prevalent among all segments of the population. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and predictors of Khat chewing among intermediate and secondary school students of Jazan region. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional survey was conducted in late 2011 in Jazan region. A random sample of 3923 stu...

BACKGROUND Use of psychoactive drugs such as khat leaves (Catha edulis) alter moods and emotional state and lead to adverse effects on the health and social life of users. Ethiopia is a major producer and exporter of khat in east Africa and the majority of the khat comes from the eastern part of the country, however, no studies have been conducted to investigate the habit in this area. This stu...

Among the many products found in the bustling markets of the Yemeni capital Sana’a are bundles of stripped branches covered by scraps of cloth or plastic, put there to preserve the freshness of the tender oval leaves, known locally as khat. Grown in the surrounding highland towns, khat is picked at dawn from groves of the tall-growing Catha edulis plant and by midday has found a buyer who that ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and risk factors of cigarette smoking and khat chewing. DESIGN College based cross sectional. SETTING Four colleges found in north west Ethiopia namely Gondar College of Medical Sciences, Gondar College of Teachers Education, Bahr Dar University Engineering Faculty, and Bahr Dar University Education Faculty. SUBJECTS All instructors in these colleges. ...

OBJECTIVE Chewing fresh leaves of the Khat plant (Catha edulis), represents a widespread habit with a deep-rooted sociocultural tradition in Yemen. Khat is chewed for its central stimulant properties and to dispel feeling of fatigue and its use is believed to be associated with disturbance of mood. We studied the effect of chewing Khat leaves on human mood by using a standard questionnaire meth...

BACKGROUND Khat is widely consumed among the youth of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. However, its prevalence is not well documented. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of khat chewing among college and secondary school students in Jazan region. METHODS The study was conducted in May 2006 in the colleges and secondary schools in Jazan regio...

Khat leaves are cultivated in the highlands of the Horn of Africa, Southern Arabia and along the East African coast. In parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Yemen, khat leaves have been chewed for centuries for their mildly stimulating properties and are for many a regular part of social life. Traditionally, khat was used mostly by men during highly ritualised communal ‘khat parties’. Within a...