KHAT CHEWING DURING PREGNANCY: AN INSIGHT ON AN ANCIENT PROBLEM IMPACT OF CHEWING KHAT ON MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOME AMONG YEMENI PREGNANT WOMEN

Khat chewing during pregnancy can affect maternal health with a damaging effect on the baby's health and wellbeing. This study was conducted to clarify the impact of Khat chewing on maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy of Yemeni women. This prospective study enrolled 60 regular Khat chewing pregnant women and 120 non-Khat chewing pregnant women, selected from those attended with singleton pregnancy in their first or second trimester from the ANC unit of AL-Gamhouri Teaching Hospital in Taiz (Republic of Yemen). Khat chewer pregnant women were having statistically significant risk of 6 times for preterm labor; 3.83 times for labor induction and statistically insignificant risk of 4.10 times for preeclamspia; 2.78 for blood transfusion and fetal distress; 2.05 for PROM; 2.03 for PPH and perineal tears; and 2.02 for IUFD. There is significant lower mean hemoglobin concentration at delivery when compared with the control. Khat chewer pregnant women were having statistically significant risk of 6.56 times for breech presentation; 8.94 times to deliver fetuses with low birth weight (< 2500 gm); 6.0 times for neonatal admission to the ICU and statistically insignificant risk of 3.54 times for perinatal mortality and 2.02 times for congenital malformations. This study concluded that Khat chewing is globally associated with a negative impact on maternal and fetal wellbeing.