Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Cult Health Sex. 2012;14(10):1197-212. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2012.722684. Epub 2012 Sep 18.
Khat (Catha edulis, a natural stimulant), has been used in Ethiopia for centuries. Over the past few decades, however, its use has dramatically increased, with recent research linking khat use to HIV status. Using qualitative methods, we explored the individual and micro-environmental characteristics of khat use and the social and physical contexts influencing type, acceptability and consequences of khat use. Among khat chewers attending an HIV voluntary counselling and testing centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we found that chewing typically starts at an early age (15-18 years). The majority of users are young (aged 18-35) and chew for pleasure, primarily in social settings. Over 25 types of khat, with varying effects were reported. Approximately half of the participants perceived khat to enhance sexual desire, while the rest claimed the effect on sexual desire to be the opposite. Alcohol use among chewers was high. Our findings suggest the need for culturally appropriate interventions that highlight the factors associated with khat use and the potential interplay between khat, alcohol and risky sexual behaviour.
阿拉伯茶（Catha edulis，一种天然兴奋剂）在埃塞俄比亚已经使用了几个世纪。然而，在过去几十年中，它的使用量急剧增加，最近的研究将阿拉伯茶的使用与 HIV 状况联系起来。本研究采用定性方法，探讨了阿拉伯茶使用的个体和微观环境特征，以及影响阿拉伯茶使用类型、可接受性和后果的社会和物质环境。在埃塞俄比亚亚的斯亚贝巴的一个艾滋病毒自愿咨询和检测中心，我们发现咀嚼阿拉伯茶通常始于早年（15-18 岁）。大多数使用者年龄在 18-35 岁之间，咀嚼阿拉伯茶主要是为了娱乐，通常是在社交场合。据报道，有超过 25 种具有不同效果的阿拉伯茶。大约一半的参与者认为阿拉伯茶能增强性欲，而其余的人则认为阿拉伯茶对性欲的影响是相反的。咀嚼者中饮酒的比例很高。我们的研究结果表明，需要采取文化上适宜的干预措施，重点关注与阿拉伯茶使用相关的因素，以及阿拉伯茶、酒精和危险性行为之间的潜在相互作用。
