We report a case of cryptogenic liver cirrhosis likely due to khat consumption diagnosed in the setting of chronic hypertension and giving the appearance of atypical superimposed preeclampsia.
AIM:To investigate the potential role of khat in triggering auto immune hepatitis.METHODS:Patients with a history of khat use and acute hepatitis were identified using the computer database in the hepatology departmen...AIM:To investigate the potential role of khat in triggering auto immune hepatitis.METHODS:Patients with a history of khat use and acute hepatitis were identified using the computer database in the hepatology department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.They were then assessed for probability of having autoimmune hepatitis using the revised autoimmune hepatitis scoring criteria.RESULTS:Six patients were identified.All of them had presented with acute hepatitis on a background of khat.All were male and five of these patients were of Somali origin,while one patient was from Yemen.The patients were given points on the modified autoimmune hepatitis score which is based on their liver enzymes,autoimmune screen,exclusion of viral hepatitis alcohol and drugs,immunoglobulin levels and liver histology.The patients were given a score of-4 for khat use due to its potential to cause drug induced liver injury.Five of these patients scored between 10 and 15 points,placing them in the probable group for having autoimmune hepatitis.All of these patients were treated with prednisolone and demonstrated a good response to immunosuppression.CONCLUSION:One possibile cause of hepatotoxicity with khat could be via triggering of autoimmune hepatitis in a genetically susceptible individual.Further studies are needed for confirmation.展开更多
Introduction: Khat chewing is believed to be rapidly increasing worldwide. Worldwide, it is estimated that 10 million people consume khat daily. Khat chewing practice renders certain influence on physical and psycholo...Introduction: Khat chewing is believed to be rapidly increasing worldwide. Worldwide, it is estimated that 10 million people consume khat daily. Khat chewing practice renders certain influence on physical and psychological well being of the community and it can cause more serious adverse psychiatric, cardiovascular, dental and gastrointestinal effects. The recent sharp increase in khat consumption may not only affect the health of individuals but could also have serious socio-economic consequences. This study was conducted to assess prevalence of khat chewing practice, its associated factors and perceived health effects among communities in Dera woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia 2013. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted by using both quantitative and qualitative method of data. The sample size for quantitative was determined by using single population proportion formula and the households were selected by systematic sampling method and in the selected household, one respondent was selected by lottery among members of household aged 15 years and above. Data were collected by means of a pretested questionnaire;analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16. For the qualitative part ten in-depth interviews were conducted on purposely selected individuals and sample size for this method was determined through continuing to interview participants until no new information was obtained. Results: The response rate was 98.3%. Current prevalence of khat chewing practice was 17%. Males were more likely to chew khat (AOR, 18.53;95%CI, 7.20-47.66) compared to females. Muslims were more likely to chew khat (AOR, 4.34;95%CI, 2.07-9.11) compared to Orthodox Christians. Respondents who had family member chewing khat were more likely to chew khat (AOR, 2.67;95%CI, 1.15-6.21) compared to family member without a chewer. Among all the respondents, 92.8% perceived the health effects of khat chewing practice. Respondents who did not perceive health effect of khat were 5 times more likely to chew khat (AOR = 5.10, 95%CI;1.64-15.5) compared to those who perceived health effect of khat. Conclusions: The prevalence of khat chewing practice was 17% with high proportion of the khat chewers found in the urban setting. Sex, religion, residence, family chewing habit and perceived health effect were significantly associated factors with khat chewing practice. In this study 92.8% of the respondents perceived that khat chewing practice had harmful effects on health and the perceived health effects reported were sleeping disorder, hallucination, tooth staining, anxiety, and loss of appetite, depression, constipation, gastritis, hypertension and psychosis.展开更多
The effects of khat on the hormonal levels have been established;however, the effects on human beings are controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible effects of khat on the levels of serum thyr...The effects of khat on the hormonal levels have been established;however, the effects on human beings are controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible effects of khat on the levels of serum thyroid hormones, testosterone, estradiol (E2), prolactin and cortisol in men. A total of 50 blood samples were collected from healthy males who referred to chew khat for more than 10 years and analyzed for the above hormones. The results were compared to the hormonal levels of 35 non khat chewers. Chewing khat causes significant increases in the testosterone (P < 0.03), prolactin (P < 0.05), E2 (P < 0.00005), FT3 (P < 0.04), and TSH (P < 0.05) levels. No significant differences were found in the serum level of FT4 between the two groups. The level of cortisol were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the khat chewers group compared to the control group. This study suggests that khat chewing can cause reduction in the cortisol level, which may cause increases of testosterone, prolactin and E2. In addition, chewing khat increases the level of TSH and FT3 serum levels. Therefore, khat may contribute to the relevant disorders caused by abnormal levels of the studied hormones in the people who are chewing展开更多
Khat, Ethiopia’s largest export cash crop, is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. However, Ethiopia has not yet fully promoted its position as the utmost producer and exporter of khat in a global market because of...Khat, Ethiopia’s largest export cash crop, is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. However, Ethiopia has not yet fully promoted its position as the utmost producer and exporter of khat in a global market because of its different policy discourses and illegal trade issues on khat production. The life of many smallholder households relies on khat production and its marketing in a country. Hence for thus, some information has been gathered on different aspects of khat with the objectives of reviewing khat’s impacts on the livelihood of smallholder farmers, its production status, and marketing constraints in Ethiopia. To review these objectives, data from CSA, and different published materials on khat were used. According to the review, khat production has a positive impact on securing household food insecurity and improving the livelihood status of smallholder farmers, and the largest foreign exchange-earning cash crops. However, it is exploited almost in all parts of a country’s government policy discourse on khat production and its trade legal issues, lack of infrastructure, zero access to extension services, zero tangible value addition, inadequate technology transfer, and research, and price volatility because of product perishability behavior are among major constraints threatened in khat production in Ethiopia. Its vulnerable and corrupted marketing system, zero market promotion and political dichotomy, long market chain, chronic market information, and unfair price were reported by different scholars as major problems of khat marketing in Ethiopia. From these probs: The government should analyze why and its impact on khat production discourse policy on the livelihood of smallholder households and overlook positive policy proclamation. Encouraging research and technology transfer to transform products into manufacturing industries, enhancing infrastructural and institutional facilities, and improving khat production product technologies through development, and khat production agribusiness industry transformation, institutionalizing its marketing arrangement and other related agronomic practices are among the major recommendations to forward so.展开更多
The methanolic extract of the fresh leaves of khat/Catha edulis was investigated using established procedures for its phytochemical constituents and effect on lipid oxidation.The phytochemical analysis revealed the pr...The methanolic extract of the fresh leaves of khat/Catha edulis was investigated using established procedures for its phytochemical constituents and effect on lipid oxidation.The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids,tannins,phenols,and flavonoids.The effects of the extract on oxidation of locally produced edible NSO(niger seed oil)was assessed through the measurement of peroxide value,iodine value and conjugated diene concentration for a period of sixteen days.Control setup involving NSO without the extract was also kept for the same period of time under similar conditions.It was observed that the peroxide value and conjugated diene value of the oil containing varying concentrations of the extracts of khat leaves increased significantly,relative to the control,showing that the extract of the khat leaves promoted deterioration of the oil.In a similar manner,the iodine value of NSO with and without added khat leaves extract was assessed.It was observed that the iodine value of the oil containing the khat leaves extract decreased more rapidly than the control,suggesting that the double bonds in the fat constituting the oil were diminished by the extract of the khat leaves.It is thus inferred from the present study that methanolic extract of fresh khat leaves leads to deterioration of NSO.It can also be suggested from the results of the present investigation that the health problems khat chewers face may be related to the oxidative damaging effects of these leaves exert on biomolecules found in the body.展开更多
Interaction of amphetamine,cathine and cathinone with the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase was studied by molecular docking using AutoDock 4.2 as the docking software application.AutoDock 4.2 software serves as a valid ...Interaction of amphetamine,cathine and cathinone with the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase was studied by molecular docking using AutoDock 4.2 as the docking software application.AutoDock 4.2 software serves as a valid and acceptable docking application to study the interactions of small compounds with proteins.Interactions of amphetamine,cathine and cathinone with dihydrofolate reductase were compared to those of methotrexate,a known inhibitor of the enzyme.The calculated free energy of binding(ΔG binding)shows that the three ligands(ΔG=-6.87 to-7.21 kcal/mol;Ki=9.15 to 5.18μM)bind with affinity slightly lower than methotrexate(ΔG=-8.78 kcal/mol;Ki=363 nM).Binding interactions of the three ligands with active site residues of the enzyme are also predicted.All the ligands appear to bind in a similar conformation making extensive VDW contacts in the active site of the enzyme.Hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interaction with key active site residues is also observed.Thus,a probable inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase by khat alkaloids can be explained on the basis of this in silico binding and khat alkaloids can be considered as potential lead compounds in the development of new inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase which is a potential target of anti-cancer drugs.The results of these studies can serve as a starting point for further computational and experimental studies.展开更多
This research examined the typical flavor compounds in the commonest type of Khat called Harari Khat grown in the region of Ethiopia.Twenty-eight compounds, which includes 1,2-Propanedione,1-Phenyl,Hexanol,Hexanal com...This research examined the typical flavor compounds in the commonest type of Khat called Harari Khat grown in the region of Ethiopia.Twenty-eight compounds, which includes 1,2-Propanedione,1-Phenyl,Hexanol,Hexanal compounds,Limonene, Benzaldehyde with other flavors, were extracted by polydimethylsiloxane at room temperature for 30min from Khat samples,and identified by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS).This method needs no organic solvents and required minimal sample.展开更多
The purpose of this paper is to determine the provenance and tectonic setting of the Phu Khat Formation and get a better understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Nakhon Thai region using the petrography and whol...The purpose of this paper is to determine the provenance and tectonic setting of the Phu Khat Formation and get a better understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Nakhon Thai region using the petrography and whole-rock geochemistry integrated with the U-Pb detrital zircon dating. The sandstone of the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary Phu Khat Formation is chiefly characterized by unsorted texture and highly unstable volcanic lithic fragments. The formation overlies unconformably on a high textural and mineral maturity of clastic sandstone of the Late Cretaceous Khao Ya Puk Formation. Geochemically, the tectonic setting discrimination(K_2O/Na_2O-SiO_2, Al_2O_3/SiO_2-Fe_2O_3+Mg O, and Th-Sc-Zr/10) and the petrography indicate that the Phu Khat Formation was accumulated in a passive margin tectonic setting which is the same as the Khao Ya Puk Formation but with a different depositional environment. The plots of geochemical provenance discrimination(La/Th-Hf, Th/Sc-Zr/Sc, Eu anomaly Eu/Eu* 0.42 to 0.74) and the petrography reveal that the provenance of the Khao Ya Puk Formation is mainly recycled sedimentary rocks while the Phu Khat Formation consists primarily of recycled sedimentary rocks associated with minor felsic volcanic rocks from the old continental island arc of the uplifted either western or eastern continental terranes or both. However, the U-Pb detrital zircon dating indicates a unique provenance of the Phu Khat Formation from the terrane west of the Nakhon Thai region where the volcanic continental arc is active predominantly in the Middle to Late Triassic. The results indicate that while the Phu Khat Formation was accumulated in Nakhon Thai region, the western terrane was uplifted by reactivation of the preexisting structure probably since the Maastrichtian time to be the source area of sediments. Meanwhile, the eastern terrane(mainly Loei-Phetchabun fold belt) had not been uplifted probably until, the accumulation of the Phu Khat Formation terminated. Subsequently, the whole region began to uplift forming a high mountainous area since the Ypresian time when the Greater India collided with the Eurasia.展开更多
Water-pipe tobacco (WPT) is a public health threat of the 21st century. As a fashion, it swiftly spreads to all corners of the world in no more than two decades. It is a new phenomenon for Ethiopiain general and for A...Water-pipe tobacco (WPT) is a public health threat of the 21st century. As a fashion, it swiftly spreads to all corners of the world in no more than two decades. It is a new phenomenon for Ethiopiain general and for Amhara National Regional Statein particular. The major objective of this study was to gain in-depth baseline information about water-pipe tobacco smoking practice in Bahir Dar City, 2012. An explorative study was conducted at Bahir Dar City—capital of Amhara National Regional State. It is home for one of the largest universities in the country with more than 40,000 students. Of the total 50 WPT lounges, six were identified based on their customer variety, and loaded by the help of police officers who had ample experience in fighting the expansion of WPT smoking in the city. A total of 115 people participated in this study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted, and the tape recorded data were thematically analyzed. More than 80% of the study participants were below 40 Years, and more than 30% of the total study participants were students. The profession of the remaining participants ranges from daily laborers to university instructors. Females accounted for 37.39%. The following factors were found to be pertinent for rapid increment of water-pipe tobacco smoking: geographic and economic accessibility, peer pressure, deceiving characteristics of WPT-non-irritant and aromatic, lack of knowledge, and absence of effective policy. The most outstanding findings of this study were the following: almost all of the study participants were tobacco naive and really unaware of the contents WPT;but about 94% of them had been khat chewers before they started with WPT smoking. In this region, khat had until recently been used by the Muslims only. WPT smoking is an even more recent phenomenon. “Khat stimulates, and WPT calms down,” said study participants. That means by using the later as an antidote for the former, people start ruining their health with substances containing chemicals proven to be notorious to human health. This combination of deadly addictions seems to be peculiar to Ethiopia and appears to be a serious public health threat to tobacco naive communities in the region. Therefore, their rapid progression needs to be met with appropriate interventions urgently. It also warrants further investigations.展开更多
文摘We report a case of cryptogenic liver cirrhosis likely due to khat consumption diagnosed in the setting of chronic hypertension and giving the appearance of atypical superimposed preeclampsia.
文摘AIM:To investigate the potential role of khat in triggering auto immune hepatitis.METHODS:Patients with a history of khat use and acute hepatitis were identified using the computer database in the hepatology department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.They were then assessed for probability of having autoimmune hepatitis using the revised autoimmune hepatitis scoring criteria.RESULTS:Six patients were identified.All of them had presented with acute hepatitis on a background of khat.All were male and five of these patients were of Somali origin,while one patient was from Yemen.The patients were given points on the modified autoimmune hepatitis score which is based on their liver enzymes,autoimmune screen,exclusion of viral hepatitis alcohol and drugs,immunoglobulin levels and liver histology.The patients were given a score of-4 for khat use due to its potential to cause drug induced liver injury.Five of these patients scored between 10 and 15 points,placing them in the probable group for having autoimmune hepatitis.All of these patients were treated with prednisolone and demonstrated a good response to immunosuppression.CONCLUSION:One possibile cause of hepatotoxicity with khat could be via triggering of autoimmune hepatitis in a genetically susceptible individual.Further studies are needed for confirmation.
文摘Introduction: Khat chewing is believed to be rapidly increasing worldwide. Worldwide, it is estimated that 10 million people consume khat daily. Khat chewing practice renders certain influence on physical and psychological well being of the community and it can cause more serious adverse psychiatric, cardiovascular, dental and gastrointestinal effects. The recent sharp increase in khat consumption may not only affect the health of individuals but could also have serious socio-economic consequences. This study was conducted to assess prevalence of khat chewing practice, its associated factors and perceived health effects among communities in Dera woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia 2013. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted by using both quantitative and qualitative method of data. The sample size for quantitative was determined by using single population proportion formula and the households were selected by systematic sampling method and in the selected household, one respondent was selected by lottery among members of household aged 15 years and above. Data were collected by means of a pretested questionnaire;analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16. For the qualitative part ten in-depth interviews were conducted on purposely selected individuals and sample size for this method was determined through continuing to interview participants until no new information was obtained. Results: The response rate was 98.3%. Current prevalence of khat chewing practice was 17%. Males were more likely to chew khat (AOR, 18.53;95%CI, 7.20-47.66) compared to females. Muslims were more likely to chew khat (AOR, 4.34;95%CI, 2.07-9.11) compared to Orthodox Christians. Respondents who had family member chewing khat were more likely to chew khat (AOR, 2.67;95%CI, 1.15-6.21) compared to family member without a chewer. Among all the respondents, 92.8% perceived the health effects of khat chewing practice. Respondents who did not perceive health effect of khat were 5 times more likely to chew khat (AOR = 5.10, 95%CI;1.64-15.5) compared to those who perceived health effect of khat. Conclusions: The prevalence of khat chewing practice was 17% with high proportion of the khat chewers found in the urban setting. Sex, religion, residence, family chewing habit and perceived health effect were significantly associated factors with khat chewing practice. In this study 92.8% of the respondents perceived that khat chewing practice had harmful effects on health and the perceived health effects reported were sleeping disorder, hallucination, tooth staining, anxiety, and loss of appetite, depression, constipation, gastritis, hypertension and psychosis.
文摘The effects of khat on the hormonal levels have been established;however, the effects on human beings are controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible effects of khat on the levels of serum thyroid hormones, testosterone, estradiol (E2), prolactin and cortisol in men. A total of 50 blood samples were collected from healthy males who referred to chew khat for more than 10 years and analyzed for the above hormones. The results were compared to the hormonal levels of 35 non khat chewers. Chewing khat causes significant increases in the testosterone (P < 0.03), prolactin (P < 0.05), E2 (P < 0.00005), FT3 (P < 0.04), and TSH (P < 0.05) levels. No significant differences were found in the serum level of FT4 between the two groups. The level of cortisol were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the khat chewers group compared to the control group. This study suggests that khat chewing can cause reduction in the cortisol level, which may cause increases of testosterone, prolactin and E2. In addition, chewing khat increases the level of TSH and FT3 serum levels. Therefore, khat may contribute to the relevant disorders caused by abnormal levels of the studied hormones in the people who are chewing
文摘Khat, Ethiopia’s largest export cash crop, is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. However, Ethiopia has not yet fully promoted its position as the utmost producer and exporter of khat in a global market because of its different policy discourses and illegal trade issues on khat production. The life of many smallholder households relies on khat production and its marketing in a country. Hence for thus, some information has been gathered on different aspects of khat with the objectives of reviewing khat’s impacts on the livelihood of smallholder farmers, its production status, and marketing constraints in Ethiopia. To review these objectives, data from CSA, and different published materials on khat were used. According to the review, khat production has a positive impact on securing household food insecurity and improving the livelihood status of smallholder farmers, and the largest foreign exchange-earning cash crops. However, it is exploited almost in all parts of a country’s government policy discourse on khat production and its trade legal issues, lack of infrastructure, zero access to extension services, zero tangible value addition, inadequate technology transfer, and research, and price volatility because of product perishability behavior are among major constraints threatened in khat production in Ethiopia. Its vulnerable and corrupted marketing system, zero market promotion and political dichotomy, long market chain, chronic market information, and unfair price were reported by different scholars as major problems of khat marketing in Ethiopia. From these probs: The government should analyze why and its impact on khat production discourse policy on the livelihood of smallholder households and overlook positive policy proclamation. Encouraging research and technology transfer to transform products into manufacturing industries, enhancing infrastructural and institutional facilities, and improving khat production product technologies through development, and khat production agribusiness industry transformation, institutionalizing its marketing arrangement and other related agronomic practices are among the major recommendations to forward so.
文摘The methanolic extract of the fresh leaves of khat/Catha edulis was investigated using established procedures for its phytochemical constituents and effect on lipid oxidation.The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids,tannins,phenols,and flavonoids.The effects of the extract on oxidation of locally produced edible NSO(niger seed oil)was assessed through the measurement of peroxide value,iodine value and conjugated diene concentration for a period of sixteen days.Control setup involving NSO without the extract was also kept for the same period of time under similar conditions.It was observed that the peroxide value and conjugated diene value of the oil containing varying concentrations of the extracts of khat leaves increased significantly,relative to the control,showing that the extract of the khat leaves promoted deterioration of the oil.In a similar manner,the iodine value of NSO with and without added khat leaves extract was assessed.It was observed that the iodine value of the oil containing the khat leaves extract decreased more rapidly than the control,suggesting that the double bonds in the fat constituting the oil were diminished by the extract of the khat leaves.It is thus inferred from the present study that methanolic extract of fresh khat leaves leads to deterioration of NSO.It can also be suggested from the results of the present investigation that the health problems khat chewers face may be related to the oxidative damaging effects of these leaves exert on biomolecules found in the body.
文摘Interaction of amphetamine,cathine and cathinone with the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase was studied by molecular docking using AutoDock 4.2 as the docking software application.AutoDock 4.2 software serves as a valid and acceptable docking application to study the interactions of small compounds with proteins.Interactions of amphetamine,cathine and cathinone with dihydrofolate reductase were compared to those of methotrexate,a known inhibitor of the enzyme.The calculated free energy of binding(ΔG binding)shows that the three ligands(ΔG=-6.87 to-7.21 kcal/mol;Ki=9.15 to 5.18μM)bind with affinity slightly lower than methotrexate(ΔG=-8.78 kcal/mol;Ki=363 nM).Binding interactions of the three ligands with active site residues of the enzyme are also predicted.All the ligands appear to bind in a similar conformation making extensive VDW contacts in the active site of the enzyme.Hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interaction with key active site residues is also observed.Thus,a probable inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase by khat alkaloids can be explained on the basis of this in silico binding and khat alkaloids can be considered as potential lead compounds in the development of new inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase which is a potential target of anti-cancer drugs.The results of these studies can serve as a starting point for further computational and experimental studies.
文摘This research examined the typical flavor compounds in the commonest type of Khat called Harari Khat grown in the region of Ethiopia.Twenty-eight compounds, which includes 1,2-Propanedione,1-Phenyl,Hexanol,Hexanal compounds,Limonene, Benzaldehyde with other flavors, were extracted by polydimethylsiloxane at room temperature for 30min from Khat samples,and identified by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS).This method needs no organic solvents and required minimal sample.
文摘The purpose of this paper is to determine the provenance and tectonic setting of the Phu Khat Formation and get a better understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Nakhon Thai region using the petrography and whole-rock geochemistry integrated with the U-Pb detrital zircon dating. The sandstone of the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary Phu Khat Formation is chiefly characterized by unsorted texture and highly unstable volcanic lithic fragments. The formation overlies unconformably on a high textural and mineral maturity of clastic sandstone of the Late Cretaceous Khao Ya Puk Formation. Geochemically, the tectonic setting discrimination(K_2O/Na_2O-SiO_2, Al_2O_3/SiO_2-Fe_2O_3+Mg O, and Th-Sc-Zr/10) and the petrography indicate that the Phu Khat Formation was accumulated in a passive margin tectonic setting which is the same as the Khao Ya Puk Formation but with a different depositional environment. The plots of geochemical provenance discrimination(La/Th-Hf, Th/Sc-Zr/Sc, Eu anomaly Eu/Eu* 0.42 to 0.74) and the petrography reveal that the provenance of the Khao Ya Puk Formation is mainly recycled sedimentary rocks while the Phu Khat Formation consists primarily of recycled sedimentary rocks associated with minor felsic volcanic rocks from the old continental island arc of the uplifted either western or eastern continental terranes or both. However, the U-Pb detrital zircon dating indicates a unique provenance of the Phu Khat Formation from the terrane west of the Nakhon Thai region where the volcanic continental arc is active predominantly in the Middle to Late Triassic. The results indicate that while the Phu Khat Formation was accumulated in Nakhon Thai region, the western terrane was uplifted by reactivation of the preexisting structure probably since the Maastrichtian time to be the source area of sediments. Meanwhile, the eastern terrane(mainly Loei-Phetchabun fold belt) had not been uplifted probably until, the accumulation of the Phu Khat Formation terminated. Subsequently, the whole region began to uplift forming a high mountainous area since the Ypresian time when the Greater India collided with the Eurasia.
文摘Water-pipe tobacco (WPT) is a public health threat of the 21st century. As a fashion, it swiftly spreads to all corners of the world in no more than two decades. It is a new phenomenon for Ethiopiain general and for Amhara National Regional Statein particular. The major objective of this study was to gain in-depth baseline information about water-pipe tobacco smoking practice in Bahir Dar City, 2012. An explorative study was conducted at Bahir Dar City—capital of Amhara National Regional State. It is home for one of the largest universities in the country with more than 40,000 students. Of the total 50 WPT lounges, six were identified based on their customer variety, and loaded by the help of police officers who had ample experience in fighting the expansion of WPT smoking in the city. A total of 115 people participated in this study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted, and the tape recorded data were thematically analyzed. More than 80% of the study participants were below 40 Years, and more than 30% of the total study participants were students. The profession of the remaining participants ranges from daily laborers to university instructors. Females accounted for 37.39%. The following factors were found to be pertinent for rapid increment of water-pipe tobacco smoking: geographic and economic accessibility, peer pressure, deceiving characteristics of WPT-non-irritant and aromatic, lack of knowledge, and absence of effective policy. The most outstanding findings of this study were the following: almost all of the study participants were tobacco naive and really unaware of the contents WPT;but about 94% of them had been khat chewers before they started with WPT smoking. In this region, khat had until recently been used by the Muslims only. WPT smoking is an even more recent phenomenon. “Khat stimulates, and WPT calms down,” said study participants. That means by using the later as an antidote for the former, people start ruining their health with substances containing chemicals proven to be notorious to human health. This combination of deadly addictions seems to be peculiar to Ethiopia and appears to be a serious public health threat to tobacco naive communities in the region. Therefore, their rapid progression needs to be met with appropriate interventions urgently. It also warrants further investigations.
