Khat Chewing and Relapse in Peoples With Serious Mental Illness At Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital: Comparative Study
Abstract Background people with serious mental illness using illicit drug exhibit poorer outcomes. But until now little is known about the impact of khat in thiss patient group. This study tried to assess the effect of khat chewing on relapse in people with serious mental illness. Method This is cross sectional comparative study involving 405 khat chewers and 400 non chewer people with serious mental illness. The study took three month involving interview (patient and care giver) and chart review. The study used Oslo Social Support Scale; Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test and questionnaire which include sociodemographic characteristics, illness related factors and relapse history. Result The study found that prevalence of relapse was higher in khat chewes than in non chewers (22% Vs 13%, p = 0.001) in people with serious mental illness. Additionally, the prevalence of relapse was also increased as the risk from use of khat was increased. In the khat chewer group previous hospitalization histories and presence of stressful life situation were the factor associated with relapse. On the otherhand treatment interruption, sleep disorder and previous hospitalization were the factors associated with relapse in non khat chewer people with serious mental illness. Conclusion Khat chewing poses additional burden for the already debilitating disease. Patient care should consider khat chewing as one of the components for intervention.