Factors Influencing Use of Khat among the Youth of Nakivale Refugee Camp in South-Western Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Substance abuse is one of the leading socio-cultural behaviors that have faced the world at the moment. There are many types of substances that are prone to abuse like alcohol which is commonly abused globally, cannabis and tobacco and Khat. Some of these substances are region- specific while others are of global concern. Indulgence in illicit drugs has become a major problem among the youths worldwide (Hassan et al., 2007). Worldwide, Khat is the most widely cultivated, trafficked and abused illicit drug (WHO 2010; NIDA 2010). Close to 147 million people, 2.5% of the world populations consume Khat annually. In Uganda, the numbers of victims of use of Khat is increasing especially in the slum suburbs of Kampala district (Uganda Police, 2010). General Objective: To investigate the factors influencing Khat use among the youth living in Nakivale refugee camp in Western Uganda, so as to provide information that will guide policy formulation against khat use in the country. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted involving a sample size of 422 youth living in Nakivale Refugee Camp in Western Uganda, to establish factors influencing Khat use among the youth in Nakivale refugee camp in Western Uganda. The study population was the youths aged 15 to 24 years old in Nakivale refugee camp, the researcher used convenient sampling method in order to obtain the required sample size of 422 participants who are under a prior sat eligibility criteria. Results: The findings of this study showed that Out of the 422 participants, 36.0% of them were Khat users. Among the Khat users, 59.9% were daily users, 18.4% weekly, while 21.7% were monthly users. The use of Khat among youth in the refugee camp was high. Factors such as country of origin, nature of employment, neighbors‟ status of khat use and attitudes toward khat use found to be associated with Khat use among the youth living in Nakivale refugee camp in Western Uganda. Conclusion: The Government of Uganda should endorse legislations against the sell and use of khat to limit the availability and access of khat to the potential users, also mass youth mobilization and Awareness campaigns about the health risks and dangers associated with khat chewing should be initiated by the government to avert the social acceptability of khat among the communities.