1.Determinants Of Knowledge, Attitude and Self-efficacy of Khat Chewing Among School Students in Mogadishu Somalia
Osman Abubakar Fiidow ; Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat ; Norliza Ahmad ; Poh Ying Lim ; Ahmed Mohamed Dirie
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2024;20(No.2):76-82
Introduction: Khat chewing has been a common habit throughout the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for
thousands of years. It is estimated that more than 20 million people in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula are adolescents. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy of khat chewing among adolescents in
Mogadishu, Somalia. Method: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 284 adolescents was used. A self-administered pretested questionnaire was used after obtaining an ethical approval from Universiti Putr Malaysia. Data were
coded, entered, and statistically analyzed. Results: The prevalence of khat chewing among respondents was 10.2%.
Almost more than half of the participants had poor knowledge (184, 64.8%) and self-efficacy (154, 54.2%), while
140 (49.3%) respondents had positive attitudes. Significant predictors of the students’ knowledge of khat chewing
included monthly income of more than 500$ (AOR: 2.145), family history such as cousin (AOR=0.347), fathers
with a high school (AOR=1.75) and a college degree (AOR=2.21). Significant predictors of the students’ attitude
towards khat chewing included family income of 100-299 USD (AOR=0.5), fathers’ with a high school (AOR=2.5)
and college (AOR=2.4). Significant predictors of the students’ self-efficacy to resist khat chewing included family
income of 100- 300$ (AOR=2.25), fathers with a high school (AOR=2.6), and khat accessibility that is fairly difficult
(AOR=0.63) and fairly easy (AOR=0.55). Conclusion: The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the adverse effects of khat chewing and the importance of addressing social norms and peer pressure
in shaping adolescent attitudes toward Khat.