Abstract:
Background:- Catha adulis is a flowering plant native to the horn of Africa
and the Arabian peninsula. Khat’s exact place of origin is uncertain but
believed it was first grown in Ethiopia, particularly Eastern city of Harar
from which it was later introduced to Yemen in the 15th century. In the oral
cavity it has different effect as a result of chewing for long time such as
temperomandibular Joint problem, gingival recession, clinical attachment
loss, and oral cancers and gingival allergic reactions.
Objectives:- To assess the impact of Chat chewing habit on periodontal
status among out patients of medical OPD at HJH.
Methods:- Cross sectional study was conducted in HJH by convenient
sampling technique on 72 chat chewer medical out patients out of which 40
were males and 32 were females.using strucured questionnaire and physical
examination on a sample of out patients.
The data were systematically analyzed, interpreted and presented in the form
of tables.
Result and Discussion:- Tooth discoloration was the main complaint of chat
chewer patient and some have gingival bleeding and bad breath. There is
significant statistical association between duration of chat chewing and
periodontal variables with p-value of 0.000. But there is no statistical
association between gender and oral cavity change, age, religion, ethnic
group, method of tooth cleaning, with p-value of 0.124, 0.33, 0.718, 0.754,
0.61 respectively.
Conclusion and Recommendation:- The periodontal tissue of chat chewer
patients have defects like gingival recession, clinical attachment loss,
calculus deposition and bleeding of the gum, as well as oro-dental problem.
Therefore it is strongly recommended that the concerned body should create
awareness in the community about the impact of chat on periodontium and
the oral cavity as a whole.
