Oral problem determinants in UKresident Yemeni khat chewers

Background: Khat leaves are chewed in the UK communities originating from Yemen, Somalia and Ethiopia. Khat chewing is often associated with tobacco smoking. The adverse effects of khat chewing on aspects of health have been suggested in the literature. Self-reported oral problems correlate with both nicotine and khat dependence. The influence of demographic, socio-cultural and psychosocial determinants on self reported oral problems in khat chewers await identification. Objectives: These were: 1) to establish demographic, socio-cultural, psychosocial and khat chewing behavioural data for khat chewers; 2) to explore further khat dependency 3) to establish data for tobacco smoking and nicotine dependency levels 4) to establish risk predictors for self reported oral problems. Methods: This bilingual cross-sectional study involved a face to face structured interview schedule, validated with saliva and expired air carbon monoxide samples. It was conducted amongst Yemeni adults male khat chewers residents in Sheffield. Participants were selected during random visits to khat sellers. Data collected was analysed using simple descriptive, univariate and hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: 204 khat chewers were interviewed. 29% reported oral problems. In univariate analysis, being older, with large family size, unemployed, completed low level of education, living in non crowded housing, having mother who was chewer, starting khat chewing in Yemen, with a preference of Arabic language for reading, having low social participation, being dependent on khat and with high khat chewing behaviour index were all significantly associated with self reported oral problems. After controlling for these factors in the multivariate analysis, low level of completed education was found to be significantly associated with self reported oral problems (P≤0.045; OR, 2.27; 95%CI=1.02 -5.04). Conclusion: Low level of completed education was the only predictor of self reported oral problems, reflecting social inequalities in this sample.