Background: Khat (Catha edulis) is a fresh green leave commonly chewed for recreational purpose and its euphoric effect as a result of dopamine activities stimulation effect of Khat. Women may use Khat during their pregnancy to tolerate their pregnancy related distress. Khat has biological, social or psychological complications; adverse pregnancy outcomes and negatively affects the health of the mother and the fetus. However, magnitude, pattern and associated factors of Khat use are not well addressed among pregnant women in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to address this gap by assessing the magnitude and associated factors of Khat use among women attending antenatal care service at Gedeo zone rural health centers.
Methods: This was a facility based cross-sectional study conducted at rural health centers in Gedeo zone from June 1st to August 1st, 2017. The data were collected through structured interview using an interview guide developed from different literatures. A total of 718 pregnant women attending antenatal care service participated in the study using multi stage sampling technique. Bivariable and multivariable analysis were used to identify associated factors of Khat use among women during their current pregnancy period. In the multivariable analysis, variables with P-Values of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant correlates of Khat use. The strength of the association was also measured with adjusted odds ratio at a corresponding 95% confidence interval.
Results: The lifetime and current prevalence of khat use among pregnant women were 11.0% (95%CI: 8.8-13.2) and 9.9% (95% CI: 7.7-12), respectively. The odds of being khat user was higher among those who had khat user partner [AOR = 3.450, 95% C.I (1.907-6.244)], respondents with alcohol use behavior [AOR = 3.235, 95% C.I (1.573-6.659)] and mental distress [AOR = 3.575, 95% C.I (2.067-6.189)].
Conclusion: Significant proportions of pregnant women were experiencing khat chewing during pregnancy. Having khat user partner, alcohol use behavior and metal distress were significantly associated with khat use of pregnant women. This demonstrates a need to integrate the prevention, early identification and intervention of Khat use as a component of treatment modality for pregnant women during their antenatal visit.
Keywords: Addiction; Gedeo zone; Khat chewing; Khat use; Pregnant women; Substance use.