Prevalence and associated factors of Khat chewing among people with HIV/AIDS at rural health centers of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Objective: Khat, sometimes called “Qat” or “Chat” is fresh leaves a plant commonly chewed for its psycho-stimulant and euphorigenic effects of the brain. Although the adverse and complicated conspectuses of long term Khat use are evidenced, it is a commonly chewed in Ethiopia. Its burden and associated factors is not well addressed among HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. This addressed this missed opportunity by assessing the frequency, pattern and associated factors of current Khat use among people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. Binary logistic regression was commutated to identify factors associated with Khat use. Results: About 30.1% and 24.7% of people with HIV/AIDS had lifetime and current khat use southern Ethiopia. Male sex {OR=2.46 95% CI(1.28, 4.73)}, rural residency { OR=2.4695%: CI(1.28, 10.14)}alcohol drinking {OR=1.84:95% CI(1.00, 3.37)} and frequency of schedule {OR=5.2595%CI(2.33, 11.85)} had a statistically significant association with current Khat use. This alarms a need for designing appropriate preventive and intervention programs for people living with HIV.