Exploration of adverse psychological symptoms in Yemeni khat users by the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90)

Abstract

Aim: The present study was aimed at assessing associations between psychological symptoms and khat use in the Yemeni population.

Setting: The survey was performed in 2000/2001, in different zones including three urban and three rural areas.

Participants: The survey was carried out in 800 Yemeni adults (15-76), both male and female, representing mainly urban populations of students, state employees and housewives.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken using face-to-face interviews and no preset selection criteria regarding profession, socio-economic status, age or gender.

Measurement: The Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) was used containing 90 items, which cover nine scales of the following domains: somatization, depression, anxiety, phobia, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia and psychoticism. Details of khat use and socio-demographic data were also collected.

Findings: At least one life-time episode of khat use was reported in 81.6% of men and 43.3% of women. Male users tended to use more frequently. The incidence of adverse psychological symptoms was not greater in khat users; in fact, there was a negative association between the incidence of phobic symptoms and khat use.

Conclusions: Khat use is very common in the Yemeni population, particularly men, but it is not associated with adverse psychological symptoms.