The Epidemiology of Tobacco Use among Khat Users: A Systematic Review
File(s)
Author(s)
Kassim, S
Jawad, M
Croucher, R
Akl, EA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Khat, an “amphetamine-like green leaf,” may influence the consumption of tobacco. This study reviews the epidemiology of tobacco use among khat users. Electronic database searches using appropriate keywords/terms were conducted to identify observational studies of khat use. Assessment of quality and risk of bias of all included studies was conducted, and the results were synthesised descriptively. Nine eligible cross-sectional studies were identified. All assessed self-reported tobacco among khat users and were carried out in Africa and the Middle East. Eight reported cigarettes and one reported waterpipes as the mode of use. Methods of tobacco use prevalence assessment varied. Prevalence of “current” tobacco use among students and university teachers ranged from 29 to 37%; “lifetime” tobacco use in university teachers was 58% and “undefined” tobacco use in nonspecific adults and students ranged from 17 to 78%. Daily tobacco use among adults was reported as 17% whilst simultaneous tobacco and khat use was reported as between 14 and 30% in students. In conclusion, tobacco prevalence among khat users appears significant. Findings should be interpreted cautiously due to self-reported tobacco use, diversity in questions assessing tobacco use, and type of tobacco consumption. Future research should address the methodological shortcomings identified in this review before appropriate policy interventions can be developed.
Date Issued
2015-12-31
Date Acceptance
2015-04-30
Citation
Biomed Research International, 2015, 2015
ISSN
2314-6133
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Journal / Book Title
Biomed Research International
Volume
2015
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Saba Kassim et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Research & Experimental Medicine
CATHA-EDULIS
SMOKING
YEMENI
AMPHETAMINE
CATHINONE
CULTURE
ADULTS
MISUSE
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Observational Studies as Topic
Plant Leaves
Prevalence
Substance-Related Disorders
Tobacco
Tobacco Use
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
313692