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The effects of khat use during pregnancy on perinatal and maternal outcomes: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Chewing khat during pregnancy adversely affects maternal and fetal health, but available studies are scarce and inconsistent, and it is difficult to conclude the relationship between khat consumption and perinatal outcomes. We aimed to investigate the available studies on the effect of khat use during pregnancy on perinatal and maternal outcomes. For this meta-analysis, we conducted a thorough search of articles published in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to the date this search was undertaken (03.01.2022). We used random effect model with the Mantel–Haenszel method to calculate the pooled odds ratio and mean difference. We found that khat use during pregnancy was significantly associated with increased odds of low birth weight (OR:2.51; 95% CI: 1.60 to 3.94), congenital anomalies (OR:3.17; 95% CI: 1.30 to 7.73), premature rupture of membrane (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.59 to 2.50), perinatal mortality (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.26 to 3.03), and lower APGAR scores at the fifth minute (MD: −1.7; 95% CI: −2.32 to −1.07). Also, increased odds for developing maternal psychological stress and anemia were reported in women using khat during pregnancy. There were no statistically significant differences in stillbirth and preterm birth between women using khat during pregnancy and their counterparts. Since prenatal khat use is associated with adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes, we strongly recommend equitable and easily accessible health services through the implementation of integrated addiction treatment with maternity services to address khat use during pregnancy and encourage the practice of healthy behavior of women.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge study participants who spent their precious time to participate in the included studies for this systematic review.

Funding

This systematic review and meta-analysis work is supported by the Special Research Fund (BOF) of Ghent University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Head and Skin – Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10. B 9000 Gent, Ghent, Belgium

    Yimenu Yitayih, Van Damme Rita & Lemmens Gilbert

  2. Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Wouter Vanderplasschen & Sarah Vandewalle

  3. Center for Perinatal Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    Van Damme Rita & Lemmens Gilbert

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  1. Yimenu Yitayih
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  2. Wouter Vanderplasschen
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Contributions

YY contributed to data search, quality assessment, data extraction, and write the draft of the manuscript. WV contributed to data analysis and editing the manuscripts. SV contributed to data search, quality assessment, data extraction, and editing of the manuscript. RV contributed to data analysis and editing the manuscripts. GL contributed to data analysis and editing the manuscripts. All authors read and approve the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yimenu Yitayih.

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Yitayih, Y., Vanderplasschen, W., Vandewalle, S. et al. The effects of khat use during pregnancy on perinatal and maternal outcomes: a meta-analysis. Arch Womens Ment Health 26, 11–27 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01293-5

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