Research Article

Perceived Psychological, Economic, and Social Impact of Khat Chewing among Adolescents and Adults in Nekemte Town, East Welega Zone, West Ethiopia

Table 2

Current khat chewing status and patterns among the study participants in Nekemte town, west Ethiopia, 2016.

VariablesCharacteristicsFrequency (%)

Current chewing experienceNonchewers182 (51.4)
Chewers172 (48.6)

Chewing duration≤12 months48 (27.9)
13–36 months53 (30.8)
>36 months71 (41.3)

Chewing frequencyDaily116 (67.4)
4–6 times a week31 (18.0)
2-3 times a week16 (9.3)
Once a week9 (5.2)

Time spent on single chewing ceremonies15–90 minutes58 (33.7)
120–180 minutes85 (49.4)
>180 minutes29 (16.9)

Cost of khat for single consumption5–15 birr38 (22.1)
16–25 birr52 (30.2)
26–50 birr65 (37.8)
>50 birr17 (9.9)

Cost of khat per month10–100 birr14 (8.1)
101–400 birr33 (19.2)
401–600 birr54 (31.4)
601–900 birr33 (19.2)
≥901 birr38 (22.1)

Sugar use during chewingYes139 (80.8)
No33 (19.2)

Smoking during chewingYes74 (43)
No98 (57)

Coffee use during chewingYes111 (64.5)
No61 (35.5)

Alcohol use after chewingYes65 (37.8)
No107 (62.2)