High Seroprevalence of Autoantibodies Typical of Autoimmune Liver Disease in Eastern Ethiopia: Is Chewing of Khat (Catha edulis) a Triggering Factor?
Table 1
Demographic features of the study participants, by khat consumption level.
Variable
Nonusers (n=104)
Light khat users1 (n=86)
Heavy khat users2 (n=83)
Significance (p)
Nonusers vs.
Nonusers vs.
Light
Heavy
khat users
khat users
Men
40 (38.5)
47 (54.7)
70 (84.3)
0.026
<0.001
Age (years)
27 (22-52)
27 (24-40)
40 (30-55)
0.497
0.001
Ethnic group:
Oromo
48 (46.2)
67 (77.9)
78 (94.0)
<0.001
Amhara
42 (40.4)
15 (17.4)
4 (4.8)
<0.001
Other
14 (13.5)
4 (4.7)
1 (1.2)
Religion:
Islam
44 (42.3)
69 (80.2)
79 (95.2)
<0.001
<0.001
Christianity
60 (57.7)
17 (19.8)
4 (4.8)
Occupation:
Farmer
9 (8.7)
28 (32.6)
65 (78.3)
<0.001
<0.001
Housewife
26 (25.0)
10 (11.6)
1 (1.2)
Student
14 (13.5)
10 (11.6)
0
Public servant
17 (16.3)
3 (3.5)
3 (3.6)
Health professional
5 (4.8)
3 (3.5)
2 (2.4)
Other
33 (31.7)
32 (37.2)
12 (14.5)
Alcohol use3
24 (23.1)
17 (19.8)
6 (7.2)
0.581
0.003
Khat-years4
0
2 (0.5-10)
60 (30-100)
<0.001
<0.001
Data are presented as number (%) or as median (interquartile range). (1) 15 khat-years4 (2) >15 khat-years4 (3) ≤20 grams/day in women and ≤30 grams/day in men. (4) One khat-year was defined as daily use of 200 grams fresh khat for one year.