Determinants of khat use among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Jimma town public hospitals Southwest Ethiopia,2022.

Abstract Background Khat (Catha edulis) is a fresh green leaf commonly chewed for its stimulating effects. Khat chewing is rising at an alarming rate and adversely affects biological, social or psychological complications causing adverse pregnancy outcomes negatively affecting the health of the mother and the fetus. Although evidence has indicated significant prevalence of khat chewing, there is limited study on determinants of khat use among pregnant women. Objective To assess determinants of khat use among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Jimma town public hospitals, 2022. Methods Institutional based unmatched case-control study design was employed in Jimma town public hospitals from September 1 to October 30, 2022. Sample size was determined by Statcal version 7 of Epi Info and a total of 300 study participants were selected. A consequative sampling method was used. Cases and controls were proportionally allocated for each hospital. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) using a structured questionnaire. The data was checked, coded, and entered into EpiData version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression were computed. The odds ratio and 95%confidence level was used to measure the strength of the association. Predictor variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis was taken as statistically significant determinant factors for pregnant women. Results A total of 300 respondents, 100 cases and 200 controls participated in the study. Income below poverty line (AOR = 2.33; 95%CI: 1.32–4.11), occupation being housewife (AOR = 3.42; 95%CI: 1.50–7.82), mental distress (AOR = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.39–4.50), pre-pregnancy khat use (AOR = 2.67;95%CI:1.42–5.00), partner khat use (AOR = 4.23; 95%CI: 2.34–7.65) and presence of producers/sellers in home (AOR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.13–3.66) were found to be independent predictors of khat use in pregnant women. Conclusion The study revealed that khat use results from multiple factors. Therefore, it is important to integrate the prevention, early identification and intervention of khat use as component of treatment modality for pregnant women with their partner during antenatal visit.