Prevalence of Khat Chewing and Its Associated Factors among Debre Markos University Regular Students, North West Ethiopia

Introduction: Educational institutions consider khat use part of the adult age groups' experiential aspect; globally, studies have been conducted and reported in its multi-dimensional aspect. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of khat chewing and its associated factors among Debre Markos University undergraduate regular students, northwest Ethiopia, 2024 . Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 672 regular students using a self-administered questionnaire from July 15 to 24, 2024. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The completed data were coded and then entered and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Prevalence with a 95% confidence interval was estimated for khat chewing practice among university students. Binary logistic regression analysis was fitted and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed to identify factors associated with khat chewing. Those variables with p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant. Result: A total of 672 students participated giving a response rate of 96.1%. The lifetime, one-year and current prevalence of khat chewing were 23.1%, 20.7%, and 19.0 respectively. Factors like being sex male (AOR =2.64; 95%CI: 1.33, 5.22), family member chewing khat (AOR =10.79; 95%CI: 4.71, 24.73), having friends who chewed khat (AOR =9.50; 95%CI: (4.63, 19.47) and self-reported mental disorder (AOR =2.04; 95%CI: 1.06, 3.93) were factors significantly associated with khat chewing among regular university students. Among participants who chew khat currently, 34.1% of students chew khat for enjoyment, while 33.3% of students were due to peer pressure. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence was considerable compared to other studies done in the university. Peer pressure to khat chewing should be reduced through creating good understanding to each individual by theatres, drama and others.