Effect of Khat consumption on blood biochemical parameters: Evidences from the Ethiopian Non communicable diseases STEPS Survey, 2015

Background: Khat, Catha edulis leaves is grown in Ethiopia and consumed as a natural stimulant by chewing the young buds and tender leaves that contain the stimulant “Cathinone”. In Ethiopia, this habit has a deep-rooted socio-cultural tradition in which consumers spend part of their time chewing khat. The effect of this habit on blood constituent has not been adequately studied in humans. Objective: To analyze the effect of khat chewing on the level of clinical biomarkers in blood. Methods: This analysis used data from the Ethiopian 2015 Non communicable diseases STEPS Survey. A total of 9,800 households were selected from the 513 enumeration areas. All men and women aged 15-69 years who had been living at their place of residence for at least six months prior to the survey were included in the study. Data were collected using WHO STEPS questionnaire and current khat chewing and associated factors. The descriptive statistics as well as the association tests were carried out using SPSS Version 20. Results: The khat chewers showed significantly higher median fasting blood glucose and weight (p<0.0001), lower median total cholesterol (p<0.05), HDL and LDL than the non-khat chewers (p<0.0001). The sub analysis showed that, male khat chewer showed significantly higher median fasting blood glucose p<0.0001) and median total cholesterol (p=0.009) and significantly lower median HDL than the non-khat chewer (p<0.05). Among female khat chewers showed significantly higher fasting blood glucose (p<0.0001), total cholesterol, Body mass index and weight than the females non- khat chewers (p<0.05). In urban dwellers, khat chewers showed significantly higher weight, BMI, and fasting blood glucose (p<0.0001), TG (p<0.05) and lower HDL (p<0.0001) than non- khat chewers (p<0.05). Moreover, in rural dwellers, khat chewers showed significantly higher weight, fasting blood glucose (p<0.0001), lower HDL and LDL (p<0.0001) and lower total cholesterol (p=0.028) than non- khat chewers. Conclusion: Findings from this study demonstrate that khat chewer have altered blood biochemical parameters. Health promotion should be aimed to encourage quitting khat chewing considered to the general community and the public health authorities.