Khat is a psycho stimulant basil globally consumed by millions, regardless of gender, religion, education, profession, philosophy and occupation. A significant number of educated group of Ethiopian society engaged in chewing, mainly for intellectual stimulation and recreation. Past studies revealed that khat chewing was associated with poor academic performance among students. While khat has harmful penalty, little is known about effect of khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia.
This thesis aimed to explore the prevalence, determinants and effect of khat chewing on academic performance among Wollega University students. Methodologically the study used an explanatory sequential research design. Quantitative data was gathered through University based cross-sectional survey conducted in Feb 2017 among randomly selected 358 students using multi-stage sampling technique. Moreover, the in-depth interviews (N=4) and focus group discussions (N=10) was done using semi-structured questionnaires. Binary logistic regression model was employed to identify determinants of khat chewing behavior with in a framework of imputed data and survey design analysis.
Two-limit tobit regression model was used to evaluate predictors of academic performance. The study reveals that prevalence of current regular, lifetime and last semester khat chewing were 24.3%,29%and 27.4%respectively.Students who comes from khat growing area(AOR=20[0.04-0.17]),who have chewer friends(AOR=5.3[5-8.8]),who lives out of campus with friends(AOR=9.2 (3.3-5.01]), whose year of study was third year(AOR=7.4( 0.04-1.27]),students from Nekemte campus (AOR=17.8[1.6-4.8]) and students who perceived khat enhances performance(AOR=2.9[1.4-7.8]) were more likely to chew khat. It is also found that khat chewing(p<0.01) is negatively associated with academic performance of students. To hinder the problems associated with khat chewing integrated prevention approach involving students, the university officials, the surrounding community, and regulatory bodies is required.
Keywords: khat chewing, predictors, prevalence, academic performance, university students
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Objectives of the Study
1.4. Research Questions
1.5. Significance of the Study
1.6. Scope and Limitations of the Study
1.7. Conceptual and operational definitions of terms
1.8. Organization of the Paper
2. LITRETURE REVIEW
2.1. INTRODUCTION
2.2. THEORETICAL LITRETURE REVIEW
2.1.1. The Social Development Strategy Model(SDS)
2.3. EMPERICAL LITRETURE
2.2.1. Social development strategy model Related empirical literatures
2.2.2. Reasons for khat chewing
2.2.3. Prevalence of khat chewing
2.2.4. Patterns of khat Chewing
2.2.5. Socio-demographic factors and Khat Chewing Behavior
2.2.6. Socio-Economic Factors and Khat Chewing Behavior
2.2.7. Psychological Factors and khat chewing behavior
2.2.8. Impacts of khat chewing
2.4. Conceptual Frame Work
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. General description of the study area
3.2. Research design, Data Types, Sources and Method of Collection
3.2.1. Research design
3.3. Sampling technique and Sample Size
3.4. The Data Collection Instrument and Procedure
3.5. Method of Data Analysis
3.5.2. Econometric Models
3.6. Description of dependent and independent variables
3.7. Multiple Imputation of Survey data
3.8. Model Evaluation
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2. RESULTS
4.2.1. PHASE ONE: QUANTITATIVE RESULTS
4.2.1.1. Socio-demographic characteristics Respondents
4.2.2.2. Prevalence of khat chewing
4.2.3. Determinants of Current regular Khat chewing Behavior
4.2.2.4. Predicted Value of Chained Logit Model
4.2.2.5. Effect of current regular khat chewing on academic performance
4.2.2.5.1. Discription of Students academic performance
4.2.2.5.2.Two-limit tobit model for predictors of academic Performance
4.2.2. PHASE TWO: QUALITATIVE FINDINGS
4.2.2.1. Focus Group Discussions Result
4.3. DISCUSSIONS
4.3.1. Prevalence of khat chewing
4.3.2. Determinants of current regular khat chewing behavior
4.3.3. Effect of Current regular khat chewing on academic performance.
4.4. Theory Confirmation
5. CONCLUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1. CONCLUSSION
5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4. Policy implication
6. List of References
7. Appendices
Research Objectives and Focus
This thesis investigates the prevalence, determinants, and effects of khat chewing on the academic performance of undergraduate students at Wollega University, utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design to bridge existing gaps in empirical literature regarding this public health and educational issue.
- Extent and prevalence of khat chewing among university students.
- Demographic and socio-economic factors influencing khat chewing behavior.
- Quantitative assessment of the impact of regular khat consumption on academic performance (CGPA/SGPA).
- Qualitative insights into student motivations and perceptions regarding khat use.
- Evaluation of university-related factors and the role of the local khat production environment.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Background
The term Khat defines the leaves and shoots of a flowering evergreen plant species which is known as Catha edulis. It is native to eastern Africa and southern Arabia known by various names in different countries such as qat in Yemen, chat in Ethiopia, and miraa in Kenya. Khat originated in Ethiopia and spread out to Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, and Yemen. Although khat is not illegal in these countries, its use has been restricted recently in the Western countries such as the UK, Canada, and the United States, and it is now classified as a controlled substance (Gebissa 2010).
Compounds such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols, glycosides, tannins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals among others are found in Khat. The principal alkaloids found in the plant are phenylalkylamines and the cathedulins (WHO 2006). It is a substance categorized with the broader class of psycho stimulants like caffeine, cocoa leaves, cocaine and other substances used for their stimulating properties such as increased movement, arousal, vigor, wakefulness, and attention (Wood, D. 2005).
The use of khat has a long history in Ethiopia, there has been dramatic increase in khat consumption after the adoption of the free market economic system in the 1990s. Although the use of khat is widespread, until recently it has remained mostly confined to the region where the plant is grown since only the fresh leaves have the potency to produce the desired effects
Millions of Ethiopians, regardless of gender, religion, education, profession, philosophy and occupation, consume khat .As Gessesse (2013) indicated an educated bracket of Ethiopian society is exposed to chewing during the high school and university years. A significant number of them engaged in chewing, mainly for intellectual stimulation and recreation.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the background of khat consumption, identifies the problem of its impact on academic performance, and sets the research objectives and hypotheses.
2. LITRETURE REVIEW: Examines theoretical frameworks, specifically the Social Development Strategy Model, and synthesizes empirical studies on factors influencing khat chewing behavior and its impact on academic outcomes.
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Describes the study area, the explanatory sequential mixed-method design, sampling techniques, and the econometric models (logit and two-limit tobit) used to analyze the data.
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS: Presents the quantitative findings from surveys and econometric modeling alongside qualitative results from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, integrating them to confirm theories and explain the determinants of khat chewing.
5. CONCLUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Summarizes the study's conclusions regarding the prevalence and negative impact of khat on academic performance and provides policy and practical recommendations for university officials and regulatory bodies.
Keywords
khat chewing, academic performance, university students, prevalence, determinants, logit model, two-limit tobit model, mixed methods, drug use, socio-economic factors, Ethiopia, Wollega University, khat production, risk factors, peer pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the prevalence of khat chewing among undergraduate students at Wollega University and explores its statistically significant impact on their academic performance.
Which key thematic areas are addressed?
Key themes include the socio-economic determinants of khat use, the role of peer pressure, the impact of living arrangements, and the perceived benefits of khat vs. its actual academic consequences.
What is the primary objective of this thesis?
The primary objective is to determine the extent of khat chewing and quantitatively evaluate how this behavior influences students' Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA).
What research methodology was employed?
The study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, combining a cross-sectional survey of 358 students (quantitative) with focus group discussions and in-depth interviews (qualitative).
What subjects are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the literature review on drug use, the methodological approach, extensive quantitative data analysis using chained logit and two-limit tobit models, and qualitative findings from participants and local farmers.
What are the characterizing keywords for this study?
The study is characterized by keywords such as khat chewing, academic performance, university students, prevalence, determinants, and econometric modeling.
How does the study account for missing survey data?
The researcher implemented Multiple Imputation (MI) using the chained equation technique (MICE) to handle missing values and ensure valid statistical inference.
What is the conclusion regarding khat and academic success?
The study concludes that there is a statistically significant negative association between regular khat chewing and academic performance; specifically, khat users tend to have lower CGPA and SGPA compared to non-chewers.
What role does the local khat production environment play?
The findings indicate that students from khat-growing areas are significantly more likely to chew khat, suggesting that the local accessibility of the plant acts as a major environmental risk factor.
- Quote paper
- Gemechu Getahun (Author), 2017, Prevalence of Khat Chewing and its Effects on Academic Performance among Wollega University Students, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/509269
