Bambuí Project: an evaluation of private,public and unionized dental services

OBJECTIVE: Since one of the goals of dental services is to reduce the effects of social inequality on dental health, it was assessed whether there are inequalities among those seeking dental care from private, public and unionized services. METHODS: The study population consisted of adults aged 18 years or more living in the city of Bambuí, Brazil. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Pearson's chi-square test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (Woolf's method). RESULTS: There were included 656 subjects who met the study's inclusion criteria. Adjusted results using multiple logistic regression showed that those using private services were more likely to be satisfied with their teeth's looks (OR=3.03; 95%CI =1.70-5.39) and chewing ability (OR=2.27; 95%CI=1.17-4.40) compared to those using public services. Also, they were less likely to perceive their need for dental treatment (OR=0.39; 95%CI=0.18-0.86) and were more likely to have had restorative (OR=9.57; 95%CI=4.72 - 19.43) and/or preventive (OR=5.57; 95%CI=2.31 - 13.40) treatment in their last visit to the dentist's. Those using unionized services were more likely to have had restorative (OR=8.51; 95%CI=2.80 - 25.92) and/or preventive treatment (OR=11.42; 95%CI=3.49 - 37.43) in their last visit to the dentist's when compared to those using public services. However, there were no differences regarding satisfaction with their teeth's looks, chewing ability, and perceived treatment needs. CONCLUSION: Public dental care services have not been able to reduce social inequalities related to oral health care.     

河南省老年人社会经济地位对精神健康的影响研究——以医疗保险和居住安排为中介变量

目的 分析河南省老年人社会经济地位与精神健康的关系.方法 使用多阶段分层整群抽样方法,以河南省18个省辖市的5 570名60岁及以上老年人为研究对象,采用有序logistic回归模型分析社会经济地位对老年人精神健康的影响,探讨医疗保险和居住安排的中介效应.结果 河南省老年人精神健康受损1 999人,受损率35.89％....     

大学生城镇居民基本医疗保险参保意愿分析

摘要:目的　分析某高校大学生城镇居民医疗保险参保意愿,探讨提高大学生参保积极性的途径。方法　采用分层抽样方法选取某高校476名大学生为调查对象,采用自编问卷调查大学生城镇居民医疗保险参保意愿及其影响因素,应用SPSS19.0进行统计分析。结果　有参保意愿人数占被调查人数的43.067%。影响大学生城镇居民医疗保险参保意愿的因素有:性别（OR＝1.872,95%CI:1.286～2.724）、月均消费情况（OR＝1.542,95%CI:1.166～2.039）、入学前留守情况（OR＝2.070,95%CI:1.431～2.993）、自我健康评价（OR＝1.701,95%CI:1.305～2.217）、健康关注状况（OR＝2.327,95%CI:1.709～3.169）、医疗就诊状况（OR＝1.617,95%CI:1.236～2.115）和医疗保险认知程度（OR＝2.232,95%CI:1.616～3.083）。结论　大学生城镇居民医疗保险参保意愿总体不强,应重视影响大学生参保意愿的因素,提高参保率。     

Human khat (Catha edulis) chewers have elevated plasma leptin and nonesterified fatty acids

In this study, the effect of regular khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing (200 and 400 g) in humans on plasma leptin, nonesterified fatty acid, triacyglycerol, and total cholesterol levels was investigated. The results presented show that khat chewing increases plasma leptin concentration particularly in individuals who chew 400 g of khat leaves. The significance of increased plasma leptin is in explaining the underlying mechanism of the observed effects associated with khat chewing such as loss of appetite, decreased body weight, and hyperthermia. The decreased body weight was evident from the significantly lower body mass index of the khat leaves chewers group as compared to the non–khat leaves chewers group (control). Moreover, like leptin, the plasma levels of nonesterified fatty acids were significantly higher in those chewing 400 g of khat leaves. On the other hand, the plasma levels of triacylglycerol were significantly lower in the 2 khat-chewers groups (200 and 400 g of khat leaves), whereas plasma cholesterol levels were not affected by the 2 levels of khat leaves used in this study. The significance of these results may suggest that khat leaves may contain a component(s) that has the ability to reduce body weight via decreasing appetite.     

西藏地区中老年人就医行为及其影响因素研究

目的 了解西藏地区中老年人就医行为及其影响因素,为合理配置当地卫生资源,进一步提高当地中老年人群的健康水平提供相关研究依据。方法 根据西藏地区第六次国家卫生服务调查研究,采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样,通过建立二分类多水平logistic回归模型探讨西藏地区中老年人就诊行为的可能影响因素。结果 研究结果显示西藏地区中老年人两周就诊率为15.96%,在控制其他因素不变的情况下,经济状况较好(中等收入：OR=1.512,95%CI:1.098～2.083;高收入：OR=1.392,95%CI:1.019～1.903)、患病持续时间较短(OR=0.959,95%CI:0.935～0.984)、患病严重程度较重(一般：OR=1.946,95%CI:1.512～2.506;严重：OR=2.818,95%CI:2.167～3.664)、患慢性病(OR=1.759,95%CI:1.232～2.514)的患者在两周内患病后就诊的比例更高;与医疗机构距离较远(2～<4km:OR=0.694,95%CI:0.497～0.971)、健康状况分值较高(OR=0.985,95%CI:0.979～0.991)的...     

Factors associated with dental caries in preschoolers in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil

To investigate factors associated with dental caries in deciduous dentition, a nested case-control study was conducted in a prevalence survey of preschool children (n = 1,690) aged 18 to 36 months and 5 years of age, treated under the Family Health Program in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 2006. Cases were children with dmft > 1 and controls with dmft = 0. The independent variables were analyzed in blocks: demographic, environmental, family structure, health care, and dental services use. OR and 95%CI were estimated. Variables associated with the outcome at p < 0.20 in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate logistic regression model. The cutoff for remaining in the final model was p < 0.10. Larger households (more members), lack of running supply, time of residence, maternal (or caregiver's) schooling, attendance in public preschool, demand for dental services, and sugar intake patterns were associated factors. Variables related to social context were the main predictors of caries, thus highlighting the need for comprehensive measures to address other common childhood health problems.     

重庆市农村留守老人自评健康状况及影响因素分析

目的 探索重庆市农村留守老人的自评健康状况及影响因素,为有关部门制定留守老人健康保障政策提供实证参考。方法 采用多阶段随机抽样法对重庆市600名农村留守老人进行问卷调查,描述其自评健康状况,并采用有序logistic回归分析其自评健康状况的影响因素。结果 自评健康为差、一般、好的农村留守老人分别占44%、40.67%、15.33%。高家庭人均年收入（OR = 0.396,95%CI:- 1.349～- 0.505）、未购买商业健康保险（OR = 0.424,95%CI:- 1.344～- 0.370）、两周内未出现不适（OR = 0.601,95%CI:- 0.884～- 0.135）、一年内未住院（OR = 0.448,95%CI:- 1.197～- 0.406）、高BMI指数（OR = 0.406,95%CI:- 1.530～0.301）的农村留守老人自评健康更倾向于积极（OR＜1）,医疗费用负担重（OR = 2.433,95%CI:0.313～1.464）、所患慢性病数多（OR = 5.877,95%CI:1.223～2.319）和不饮酒（OR = 2.948,95%CI:0.637～1.524）的老人自评健康更倾向于消极（OR＞1）。结论 加强农村留守老人医疗卫生服务体系建设,健全农村留守老人的家庭支持和社会支持体系,积极开展农村留守老人专项健康教育行动,降低疾病风险。     

Relationship between intake of sweet drinks and candies and oral health status in the adult population

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between intake of sweets (sweet drinks/candies of chewing gum) and oral health status, while adjusting for age and other dental health behavior. METHODS: The data used were based on a cross-sectional study regarding dental checkup of a worksite. Of a total of 7,713 workers, 5,232 (67.8%) participated in the dental checkup. From this population, data for only 5,034 were analyzed. The dental checkup included a self-reported questionnaire and oral examination by a dentist. The oral health status variables were the CPITN score, missing teeth/filled teeth/decayed teeth, and self-reported gum bleeding. We used multiple logistic regression to calculate odds ration (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each oral health status according to intake of sweets. RESULTS: Among males, subjects who took sweet drinks almost every day, compared to subjects who hardly took, had higher risk of missing teeth (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7), filled teeth (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.4-2.0) and gum bleeding (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-1.8). Dose response relationships were also observed between intake of sweet drinks and these variables. No significant association was recognized between intake of candies of chewing gum and oral health status. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that intake of sweet drinks is a determinant of oral health status, independent of dental health behavior, particularly among males.     

我国老年人焦虑状况及其影响因素分析

目的 研究我国老年人焦虑症状检出率及其影响因素。方法 基于2018年中国老年健康影响因素跟踪调查（CLHLS）数据,选取数据库中11 127名65岁及以上的老年人为研究对象,利用二分类logistic回归模型分析老年人焦虑症状检出状况与影响因素之间的关系。结果 11 127名老年人中有焦虑症状的有1 359人,占比12.2%。二分类logistic回归分析显示,女性老年人（OR = 1.374,95%CI:1.190～1.586）、居住在中部（OR = 1.420,95%CI:1.234～1.634）和西部（OR = 1.436,95%CI:1.208～1.708）、从不社交（OR = 1.249,95%CI:1.088～1.433）、自评健康较差（OR = 3.549,95%CI:2.953～4.267）、生活满意度较差（OR = 2.436,95%CI:1.870～3.173）、生活富裕程度较差（OR = 2.186,95%CI:1.722～2.775）是老年人焦虑发生的危险因素;非文盲（OR = 0.830,95%CI:0.724～0.951）、睡眠时长为7～9 h（OR = 0.476,95%CI:0.415～0.544）与＞9 h（OR = 0.487,95%CI:0.408～0.582）是老年人焦虑发生的保护因素。结论 我国老年人焦虑症状检出率较高,应加强对老年人心理健康的关注,改善我国老年人的焦虑检出状况。     

Prevalence and factors associated with dental pain that prevents the performance of routine tasks by civil servants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of dental pain preventing the performance of routine tasks and to assess its association with socioeconomic factors, minor psychiatric disorders, number of missing teeth, and dental consultation patterns. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-completed questionnaire answered by 4,030 administrative employees at a university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (the Pró-Saúde Study). Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Prevalence of toothache preventing the performance of routine tasks in the two weeks prior to the interview was 2.9% (95%CI: 2.5-3.6). Men (OR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4), individuals with minor psychiatric disorders (OR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.2-2.6), individuals with extensive tooth loss (OR = 3.4; 95%CI: 1.5-7.8), and those failing to appear for regular dental checkups (OR = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.8-17.3) showed increased odds of experiencing dental pain. Dental pain was an important problem in this population. Unfavorable living conditions and lack of regular dental checkups increased the odds of dental pain.     

基于CHARLS数据中老年人口腔卫生服务利用现状及影响因素分析

目的 调查中国中老年人口腔卫生服务利用现状,并分析其影响因素,为提高居民口腔卫生服务利用率提供指导.方法 选取中国健康与养老追踪调查(CHARLS)2015年数据,对中国≥45岁20837名中老年人的口腔卫生服务利用现状进行分析,采用logit回归和tobit回归模型探究影响口腔卫生服务利用的因素.结果 20 837名...     

Health inequity among waged workers by employment status]

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the differences in employment status and self assessed health in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed 4 year follow-up data generated by the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study(KLIPS), which was conducted on 1,207 men and 582 women who had undergone a change in employment status. The study subjects were placed into 1 of the following 4 groups based on their employment history; Non-precarious workers, Precarious to non-precarious workers, Non-precarious to precarious workers and Precarious workers. Logistic regression was then used to examine the relationship between the changes in employment status and self assessed health. RESULTS: When males were considered, self assessed health was better among the precarious to non-precarious workers (OR 1.58, 95% CI=1.57-1.60) and the precarious workers (OR 1.29, 95% CI=1.28-1.30) than in the non-precarious workers, after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status (education level, occupational class, marital status, average equivalent household income and average number of hours worked per week), health behavior (smoking, drinking and exercise) and medical service access (regular medical examination, have chronic disease or hospitalized within 1 year). When female workers were considered, the precarious to non-precarious workers (OR 1.89, 95% CI=1.86-1.92), non-precarious to precarious workers(OR 1.24, 95% CI=1.23-1.26) and precarious workers (OR 1.27, 95% CI=1.25-1.28) all reported poorer health than the non-precarious workers after adjusting for the aforementioned factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that changes in employment status were associated with differences in self assessed health among men and women. Specifically, the results of this study showed that a corresponding positive outcome based on self assessed health was greater for employees that changed from precarious to non-precarious jobs and for male employees with precarious jobs, whereas female employees with non-precarious jobs had higher self assessed health. However, additional longitudinal studies on the health effects of employment status should be conducted.     

流动人口住院费医保报销现状及影响因素分析

目的 了解流动人口住院费医保报销现状及其影响因素,为减轻流动人口医疗经济负担提供参考。方法 利用2018年全国流动人口卫生计生动态监测数据,运用χ2检验和logistic回归分析流动人口住院费医保报销现状及其影响因素。结果 3 364名调查对象中,2 346名（69.7%）流动人口报销住院费,其中有18人重复报销,报销总人次为2 364次。2 346名报销者中,66.5%在流入地报销住院费。从报销总人次来看,不同参保类型的流动人口住院费报销情况不同,参加城镇职工医疗保险的报销率最高,为82.2%;而报销地点上,参加城乡居民医保、城镇居民医保、城镇职工医保的选择在流入地报销分别占76.1%、79.9%和89.8%。多因素结果显示,年龄为35～44岁（OR = 1.474,95%CI:1.083～2.007）、45～54岁（OR = 2.223,95%CI:1.587～3.115）、55～64岁（OR = 2.320,95%CI:1.562～3.446）、65岁及以上（OR = 4.179,95%CI:2.576～6.778）,受教育层次为高中（OR = 1.397,95%CI:1.077～1.811）、大专（OR = 1.887,95%CI:1.390～2.562）、本科及以上（OR = 2.427, 95%CI:1.660～3.548）,流动时间6～10年（OR = 1.282,95%CI:1.058～1.554）、10年以上（OR = 1.264,95%CI:1.018～1.570）,省内流动（OR = 1.483,95%CI:1.234～1.781）、市内流动（OR = 1.883,95%CI:1.502～2.360）,异地养老（OR = 2.305,95%CI:1.052～5.052）,流入西部（OR = 1.283,95%CI:1.061～1.551）是流动人口报销住院费的保护因素;从事商业及服务业 （OR = 0.429,95%CI:0.301～0.611）、生产及运输业（OR = 0.645,95%CI:0.431～0.966）、其他（OR = 0.421,95%CI:0.295～0.600）是流动人口报销住院费的危险因素。结论 流动人口住院费医保报销仍有较大的提升空间。应提高医保区域统筹层次,优化医保报销流程,加强对流动人口医保政策宣传,做好流动人口医保报销工作。     

Health Care Access and Utilization Among US-Born and Foreign-Born Asian Americans

Despite efforts to eliminate inequality in health and health care, disparities in health care access and utilization persist in the United States. The purpose of this study was to compare the access to care and use of health care services of US-born and foreign-born Asian Americans. We used aggregated data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2003 to 2005, including 2,500 participants who identified themselves as Asian. Associations between country of birth and reported access and utilization of care in the previous 12 months were examined. After controlling for covariates, being foreign-born was negatively related to indicators of access to care, including health insurance (OR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.18-0.48), routine care access (OR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.36-0.75), and sick care access [OR = 0.67, 95%CI = 0.47-0.96)]. Being foreign-born was also negatively related to all indicators of health care utilization (office visit: OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.41-0.81; seen/talked to a general doctor: OR = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.52-0.90; seen/talked to a specialist: OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.28-0.63) but ER visit (OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.59-1.20). There are substantial differences by country of birth in health care access and utilization among Asian Americans. Our findings emphasize the need for developing culturally sensitive health services and intervention programs for Asian communities.     

Pain management in a medical walk-in clinic: link between recommended processes and pain relief.

BACKGROUND: While most recommended pain management practices have been developed for hospitalised patients, little is known about their relevance for ambulatory patients presenting with acute pain. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explored the relationship between patients' reported use of recommended pain management practices and pain relief in outpatients. METHOD: 703 adult patients who presented with pain at the medical walk-in clinic of the University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland, were included in a mailed cross-sectional survey. They completed a self-administered questionnaire with specific items on self reports of pain and pain management processes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient's self reports on pain and pain management processes. RESULTS: Of the 703 patients presenting with pain, 40% reported complete pain relief after their visit at the medical walk-in clinic. After adjustment for age, sex, origin, general health and intensity of pain, patients' self-report of complete pain relief was associated with availability of medical doctors (OR = 5.6; 95% CI 2.1-14.7 for excellent vs. poor availability), availability of nurses (OR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-6.0 for excellent vs. poor availability), waiting < 10 min for pain medication (OR = 4.6; 95% CI 2.2-9.8), regular assessment of pain (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.02-2.7) and having received information about pain and its management (OR = 3.0; 95% CI 1.8-4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported pain relief was associated with more frequent use of recommended pain management processes. These recommendations initially developed for hospitalized patients should also be encouraged for ambulatory care patients.     

深圳市某区严重精神障碍患者健康体检率调查及其影响因素研究

目的 了解深圳市某区严重精神障碍患者的免费健康体检率及其影响因素,为制定社区健康体检干预措施提供依据。方法 选取2020年度某区登记在管的严重精神障碍患者为研究对象,采用多因素logistic回归模型分析患者健康体检的影响因素。结果 共收集6188例患者资料,参加免费体检患者2 652例,体检率为42.86%。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄18~44岁（OR=1.619,95%CI:1.213~2.161）、年龄45~59岁（OR=2.194,95%CI:1.589~3.029）、年龄≥60岁（OR=2.122,95%CI:1.444~3.118）、非户籍（OR=1.570,95%CI:1.362~1.809）、医疗费用支付方式为医保（OR=1.195,95%CI:1.023~1.396）、医疗费用支付方式为补贴救助(OR=1.877,95%CI:1.628~2.164)或其他（OR=2.178,95%CI:1.583~2.997）、分裂情感性障碍（OR=1.353,95%CI:1.015~1.803）或癫痫所致精神障碍（OR=2.220,95%CI:1.511~3.261）是患者参加免费体检的积极因素,监护人为亲戚（OR=0.735,95%CI:0.591~0.914）、监护人为朋友及其他（OR=0.429,95%CI:0.314~0.586）、无监护人（OR=0.635,95%CI:0.457~0.884）、服药依从性为间断服药（OR=0.628,95%CI:0.476~0.829）、不服药（OR=0.378,95%CI:0.311~0.460）、初发病年龄≥40岁（OR=0.705,95%CI:0.551~0.904）是患者参加免费体检的消极因素。结论 深圳市某区严重精神障碍患者的免费健康体检率有待提高,应通过加强健康宣教、督促规律服药、适当增加体检项目等措施提高患者体检率。     

农村流入人口医疗卫生服务利用现状及影响因素分析

目的 通过分析农村流入人口医疗卫生服务利用的现状,探究影响其医疗卫生服务利用的因素,为改进农村流动人口医疗卫生服务提出建议。 方法 筛选2017年全国流动人口卫生计生动态监测调查数据中流入农村的流动人口39 578例,分析农村流入人口医疗卫生服务利用的现状,并利用多因素logistic回归分析影响农村流入人口医疗卫生服务利用的因素。 结果 18 922例最近一年有患病或身体不适的流入农村人口中,10 705例曾就诊,就诊率为56.6%;首诊机构为本地社区卫生站和本地个体诊所的分别占24.5%和18.8%;听说过国家基本公共卫生服务项目（OR = 1.127,95%CI:1.055～1.204）、已建立健康档案（OR = 1.240,95%CI:1.148～1.340）、接受过健康教育（OR = 1.224,95%CI:1.146～1.308）、有医保（OR = 1.128,95%CI:1.003～1.268）的农村流入人口医疗卫生服务利用率高;而有工作的（OR = 0.803,95%CI:0.733～0.880）、随家属迁移的（OR = 0.851,95%CI:0.729～0.994）、自评健康状况健康（OR = 0.514,95%CI:0.444～0.595）的农村流入人口卫生服务利用率较低。 结论 流入农村人口医疗卫生服务利用情况较差;患病后首诊机构多为本地社区卫生站和本地个体诊所;流动原因、就业状况、自评健康状况、健康档案建立情况、健康教育接受情况、是否听说过国家基本公共卫生服务项目以及是否有医保均会影响农村流入人口利用医疗卫生服务。     

The comparison of health status and health services utilisation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous infants in Australia

Objective: To examine the differences in health services utilisation and the associated risk factors between Indigenous and non-Indigenous infants at a national level in Australia.
Methods: We analysed data from a national representative longitudinal study, the Longitudinal Study for Australian Children (LSAC) starting in 2004. We used survey logistic regression and survey multiple linear regression to examine the factors associated with health services utilisation.
Results: Health status of Indigenous infants was poorer than that of non-Indigenous. In comparison to non-Indigenous infants, in the previous 12-month period, the Indigenous infants were significantly less likely to use the following health services: maternal and child health centre or help lines (OR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.24-0.49); maternal and child health nurse visits (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.32-0.63); general practitioners (GPs) (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.31-0.64); and paediatrician (OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.35-0.77). In contrast, they were more likely to visit a hospital outpatient clinic (OR=1.82, 95%CI: 1.16-2.85). Mothers' age, education and marital status were associated with certain health services use. Financial status and residential location were the important predictors of the use of health services.
Conclusion: The rates of health services utilisation by Indigenous infants were lower and were associated with mothers' characteristics and socio-economic status.
Implications: The gaps in health services utilisation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous infant requires immediate policy initiatives. Further research is needed to explore the causal pathways between health status, health services utilisation and multiple risk factors at different levels.     

Household smoking and respiratory disease in under-five children

Environmental tobacco smoke is an important respiratory tract irritant in young children. To identify factors associated with respiratory disease and determine the main source of smoking exposure in the household, a cross-sectional study of 2,037 children who were immunized in primary health care clinics was conducted (in a sample of 10 out of 38 clinics with 200 children each). Parents answered a questionnaire about children's birth, passive smoking, former and current respiratory morbidity, socio-demographic characteristics, and living conditions. Analysis was based on hierarchical logistic regression. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was 59.9% for children who live with smokers. Asthma and bronchitis showed the strongest association with smoking. In multivariate logistic regression, the following variables remained associated with asthma/bronchitis: socioeconomic status (OR = 2.93; 95%CI: 1.57-5.45), maternal schooling (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.08-1.98)] and occupation (OR = 1.68; 95%CI: 1.04-2.74), neighborhood (OR = 1.47; 95%CI: 1.06-2.02), child's age (OR = 3.38; 95%CI: 2.31-4.95) and sex (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.09-1.94), breastfeeding (OR = 1.66; 95%CI: 1.15-2.40), and household smoking (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.18-2.11). Children with lower socioeconomic status and exposed to household smoking showed increased risk of respiratory disease.     

Khat use among HIV voluntary counselling and testing centre clients in Ethiopia

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.