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Stopping khat use: Predictors of success in an unaided quit attempt
Citation
Duresso, SW and Bruno, R and Matthews, AJ and Ferguson, SG, Stopping khat use: Predictors of success in an unaided quit attempt, Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (S1) pp. S235-S239. ISSN 0959-5236 (2018) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2017 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs
Abstract
Introduction and Aims: Despite the adverse effects of khat use and chewers interest in cessation, there are few studies that have reported on the outcome of khat cessation attempts, and limited resources available for potential quitters. We used electronic diaries to monitor the outcomes of an unassisted quit attempt among daily and near daily khat consumers, and examine predictors of success.
Design and Methods: Sixty participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years who regularly chewed khat and who were attempting to quit were purposively recruited from an Ethiopian University campus. Real-time prospective daily recording of khat use was obtained for an average of 10 days prior to quit day (range 6–13) and 28 post-quit days (range 9–31), using an electronic diary.
Results: Almost all (95%) achieved initial abstinence. Of these, 80% reached at least seven continuous days of abstinence; 7% maintained continuous abstinence for 28 days post-quit. While 93% lapsed (average 11 days post-quit, SD = 7), only a smaller proportion relapsed (41%: chewed for at least three consecutive days after at least 5 days of abstinence). No demographic factors were predictive of successful abstinence.
Discussion and Conclusions: Regular khat chewers have difficulties in maintaining abstinence despite having motivation and desire to quit. This implies that treatment aids may be needed to assist chewers’ in their quit attempts. Controlled experimental trial through the use of available low cost quit aids and behavioural resources is crucial in order to increase success rates for those seeking to desist from khat use.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | khat, khat abstinence, lapse, relapse, unassisted quit attempt |
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Public health |
Research Field: | Preventative health care |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Duresso, SW (Mr Samson Duresso) |
UTAS Author: | Bruno, R (Associate Professor Raimondo Bruno) |
UTAS Author: | Matthews, AJ (Dr Allison Matthews) |
UTAS Author: | Ferguson, SG (Professor Stuart Ferguson) |
ID Code: | 122100 |
Year Published: | 2018 (online first 2017) |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 5 |
Deposited By: | Medicine |
Deposited On: | 2017-10-31 |
Last Modified: | 2018-09-11 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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