Abstract:
Consumption of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is widespread in Ethiopia and the national
occurrence of Khat use increases from time to time. The aim of this thesis was to assess theoccurrence of Khat use impact and the associated factors on the performance of students atWorabe Secondary and Preparatory Schools and this study was conducted in three Worabesecondary and preparatory schools among 9-12 grade students. Cross-sectional study was
implemented to assess the socio-economic data and the impact of Khat on students’performance and Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the representative sampleof 241 students then semi-questionnaires were prepared and interviews were conducted. Thisfinding showed that the occurrence of life time and current user of Khat among students inthe study area were15.76 % and 14.10 % respectively. Out of 34 current Khat user 14.7%were found to be female students. The behavioural data indicated that out of 34 current usersabout 5(14.7%), had aggressive and anxiety behaviour which leads to conflict with friends
and teachers and had acquire recurrent illness, from simple to severe headache of the same
period. Accordingly, about 10 (29.41%) of Khat users were experienced sleeplessness,nightmare and lack of constant concentration and become depressed within particular time.
Academically out of 34 current Khat users about 2(5.88%) scored excellent, 3(8.82 %) scored
very good, 13(38.23 %) scored good and about half of 16(47.05%) scored satisfactory andbelow. On the other hand study showed that majority of users were <17 years old, 23(67.64%) within its level but >18 years old, 11(32.36%).The Factors associated with Khausing: Among current Khat users the majority, 22 (67.7%) were single headed family10(29.41%) were both headed family, and the remaining, 2(5.88%) grown up with otherrelatives. The majority 15(44.11 %) of users were influenced by friends (peer pressure),10(29.41%) were influenced by social interactions, 6(17.64%), Curiosity to experiment the
unknown facts of Khat thus motivates them into Khat use (experimental reason), 3( 8.82%),
by family pressure. Impact of using Khat was varied , which affects health and academicperformance of students .This occurrence was influenced by different types of risk factors
and finally this research is a baseline for further possible intervention towards awareness
creation, policy to control and prevention of Khat using among students during school ages.
