Abstract:
Background: Many people of the world chew khat for different reasons despite it has a huge
impact on nutritional status of an individuals. Even though the prevalence of khat chewing is
high, there is no study conducted showing the association between khat chewing and under
nutrition in the study area. So, this study helps to assess the association between khat chewing
and under nutrition in the study area comparing with nonkhat chewers.
Objectives: To compare the prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among adult
khat chewers and non-khat chewers in Wolkite town, Southern Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A community- based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February
1 -30, 2024 among 664 participants (332 from Khat chewer and 332 from non-chewer) selected
in Wolkite town with a systematic sampling method. Descriptive statistics were computed data
were presented using tables, and figures to show the prevalence of under nutrition and
background information among khat chewers and non-chewers respondent. Binary logistic
regression model was used and finally, variables with p‑values below 0.25 in the bi‑variable
analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify factors associated
with under nutrition and to control confounding respectively. Statistical significance was
declared at a p value of 0.05.
Results: Out of this 652 were interviewed with the responding rate of 98.2 % in which their
nutritional status was 23.6% (95% CI: 19.1 %, 28.6 %)among khat chewer and 6.4% (95% CI:
4.0%, 9.7%) among non-chewers were undernourished. Smoking Cigarette (AOR =
26.302;19.437-35.617), Low diet diversity (AOR:2.676;1.288-5.557), Secondary & above
education level (AOR: 0.019; 0.002-0.200 and less frequently obtain animal source of food
(AOR:2.668;1.806-5.336) were independent risk factors for under nutrition among khat chewer.
Khat chewing (AOR=4.739;2.688-8.333) showed association with under nutrition.
Conclusion and Recommendation: the prevalence of under nutrition was significantly higher
among khat chewers compared to non khat chewers. Khat chewing was found to be a significant
predictor of under nutrition in addition to Age of the respondent, marital status, educational
level, smoking habit, meal frequency per day, amount of fluid intake, and frequency of
consuming animal products per week.
