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Abstract
Background: Khat is a stimulant plant widely cultivated in East Africa and Yemen. Millions of people chew khat habitually to satiate their cravings for it. The plant generates a very high income for millions of farmers and East African governments. This study explored the economic, social, and health implications of khat use and its missiological implications.
Method: This study used a qualitative approach to explore the effects of khat consumption in East Africa. Secondary data and interviews were the main sources of data. The study participants comprised Seventh-day Adventist pastors and other church members from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Results: Khat chewing and production have significant socioeconomic and health implications in East African communities. Moreover, khat production and consumption negatively affect the mission of Seventh-day Adventists in the region.
Conclusion: Based on the results, several suggestions are provided to address the dangers of khat cultivation and consumption.
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References
- Abate, A., Tareke, M., Tirfie, M., Semachew, A., Amare, D., & Ayalew, E. (2018). Chewing khat and risky sexual behavior among residents of Bahir Dar City administration, Northwest Ethiopia. Annals of General Psychiatry,17 (26)., 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-018-0194-2
- Abiot, A., Dereje T. (2018). Challenges and approaches to ensuring socioeconomic sustainability of khat crop dependent communities amidst diminishing international markets: East Hararghe, Ethiopia, in Focus. East African Scholars Journal of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1(1), 6-16.
- Admassie, Yeraswork. (2017). The khat conundrum in Ethiopia: Socioeconomic impact and policy directions. Forum for Social Studies.
- Alasayegh, A., Chandika, R., Tubaigi, A., Majrashi, A., Meree, W., & Asiri, A. (2021). Dietary Patterns among Khat Chewing Students at Jazan University, KSA. Indian Journal of Nutrition, 8(1). https://www.opensciencepublications.com/fulltextarticles/IJN-2395-2326-8 219.html
- Bedada, W., de Andrés, F., Engidawork, E., Hussein, J., LLerena, A., & Aklillu, E. (2018). Effects of Khat (Catha edulis) use on catalytic activities of major drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes and implication of pharmacogenetic variations. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 12726. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31191-1
- Douglas, H., & Hersi, A. (2010). Khat and Islamic legal perspectives: Issues for consideration. The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law,42(62,) 95-114 Doi:10.1080/07329113.2010.10756651
- Etana, M. B. (2018). Economic and social impacts of khat (catha edulis forsk) chewing among youth in Sebeta Town, Oromia Ethiopia. Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, 3 (2), 29-33.
- Gebissa, E. (2004). Leaf of Allah: Khat & agricultural transformation in Harerge, Ethiopia 1875-1991. Ohio University Press
- Gudata, Z. G., Cochrane, L., & Imana, G. (2019). An assessment of khat consumption habit and its linkage to household economies and work culture: The case of Harar City. PLoS, 14(11), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224606.
- Malasevskaia, I., Al-Awadhi, A., & Mohammed, L. (2020). Tea in the morning and khat afternoon: Health threats due to khat chewing. Cureus, 12(12). https://www.cureus.com/articles/48329-tea-in-the-morning-and-khat-afternoon health-threats-due-to-khat-chewing
- Mihretu, A., Teferra, S., & Fekadu, A. (2017). What constitutes problematic khat use? An exploratory mixed methods study in Ethiopia. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 12(17), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-017-0100-y
- Ministerial Association. (2018). Seventh-day Adventists believe: An exposition of the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Review and Herald Publishing Association.
- Moskala, J. (2011). The validity of the Levitical food laws of clean and unclean animals: a case study of biblical hermeneutics. The Journal of Adventist Theological Society, 22 (2), 3-31.
- Mugambi, R, K. (2016). Assessment of the effects of khat consumption on the well-being of families in Meru country, Kenya. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Kenyatta University]. https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/15302
- Mwenda, J.M., Arim, M.M., Kyama, M.C., & Langat, D. K. (2003). Effects of khat (khata edulis) consumption on reproductive functions: A review. East African Medical Journal, 80(6), 318–323. https://doi.org/10.4314/eamj.v80i6.8709
- Silava, B., Soares, J., Rochapereira, C., Mladenka, P., & Remiao, F. (2022). Khat, a cultural chewing drug: A toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic summary. Toxins, 14(2), 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14020071
- Teni, F., Surur, A., Hailemariam, A., Aye, A., Mitiku, G., Endale, A., & Tessema, B. (2015). Prevalence, reasons, and perceived effects of khat chewing among students of a college in Gondar Town, Northwestern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Annals of Medical and Health Science Research, 5(6), 454-60. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.177992
- Teferra S, Hanlon C, Alem A, Jacobsson L, Shibre T.(2011). Khat chewing in persons with severe mental illness in Ethiopia: A qualitative study exploring perspectives of patients and caregivers. Transcultural Psychiatry, 48(4), 455-472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461511408494
- Wabe, T. (2011). Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Khat (Catha Edulis Forsk): A review. Addict & Health, Summer & Autumn, 3 (3-4), 137-149.
- White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets. Review and Herald Publishing Association.
- Yadeta, T., Egata, G., Seyoum, B., & Marami, D. (2020). Khat chewing in pregnant women associated with prelabor rapture of membranes, evidence from Eastern Ethiopia. Pan African Medical Journal, 36(1). https://www.panafricanmedjournal.com/content/article/36/1/full/
References
Abate, A., Tareke, M., Tirfie, M., Semachew, A., Amare, D., & Ayalew, E. (2018). Chewing khat and risky sexual behavior among residents of Bahir Dar City administration, Northwest Ethiopia. Annals of General Psychiatry,17 (26)., 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-018-0194-2
Abiot, A., Dereje T. (2018). Challenges and approaches to ensuring socioeconomic sustainability of khat crop dependent communities amidst diminishing international markets: East Hararghe, Ethiopia, in Focus. East African Scholars Journal of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1(1), 6-16.
Admassie, Yeraswork. (2017). The khat conundrum in Ethiopia: Socioeconomic impact and policy directions. Forum for Social Studies.
Alasayegh, A., Chandika, R., Tubaigi, A., Majrashi, A., Meree, W., & Asiri, A. (2021). Dietary Patterns among Khat Chewing Students at Jazan University, KSA. Indian Journal of Nutrition, 8(1). https://www.opensciencepublications.com/fulltextarticles/IJN-2395-2326-8 219.html
Bedada, W., de Andrés, F., Engidawork, E., Hussein, J., LLerena, A., & Aklillu, E. (2018). Effects of Khat (Catha edulis) use on catalytic activities of major drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes and implication of pharmacogenetic variations. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 12726. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31191-1
Douglas, H., & Hersi, A. (2010). Khat and Islamic legal perspectives: Issues for consideration. The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law,42(62,) 95-114 Doi:10.1080/07329113.2010.10756651
Etana, M. B. (2018). Economic and social impacts of khat (catha edulis forsk) chewing among youth in Sebeta Town, Oromia Ethiopia. Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, 3 (2), 29-33.
Gebissa, E. (2004). Leaf of Allah: Khat & agricultural transformation in Harerge, Ethiopia 1875-1991. Ohio University Press
Gudata, Z. G., Cochrane, L., & Imana, G. (2019). An assessment of khat consumption habit and its linkage to household economies and work culture: The case of Harar City. PLoS, 14(11), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224606.
Malasevskaia, I., Al-Awadhi, A., & Mohammed, L. (2020). Tea in the morning and khat afternoon: Health threats due to khat chewing. Cureus, 12(12). https://www.cureus.com/articles/48329-tea-in-the-morning-and-khat-afternoon health-threats-due-to-khat-chewing
Mihretu, A., Teferra, S., & Fekadu, A. (2017). What constitutes problematic khat use? An exploratory mixed methods study in Ethiopia. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 12(17), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-017-0100-y
Ministerial Association. (2018). Seventh-day Adventists believe: An exposition of the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Moskala, J. (2011). The validity of the Levitical food laws of clean and unclean animals: a case study of biblical hermeneutics. The Journal of Adventist Theological Society, 22 (2), 3-31.
Mugambi, R, K. (2016). Assessment of the effects of khat consumption on the well-being of families in Meru country, Kenya. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Kenyatta University]. https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/15302
Mwenda, J.M., Arim, M.M., Kyama, M.C., & Langat, D. K. (2003). Effects of khat (khata edulis) consumption on reproductive functions: A review. East African Medical Journal, 80(6), 318–323. https://doi.org/10.4314/eamj.v80i6.8709
Silava, B., Soares, J., Rochapereira, C., Mladenka, P., & Remiao, F. (2022). Khat, a cultural chewing drug: A toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic summary. Toxins, 14(2), 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14020071
Teni, F., Surur, A., Hailemariam, A., Aye, A., Mitiku, G., Endale, A., & Tessema, B. (2015). Prevalence, reasons, and perceived effects of khat chewing among students of a college in Gondar Town, Northwestern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Annals of Medical and Health Science Research, 5(6), 454-60. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.177992
Teferra S, Hanlon C, Alem A, Jacobsson L, Shibre T.(2011). Khat chewing in persons with severe mental illness in Ethiopia: A qualitative study exploring perspectives of patients and caregivers. Transcultural Psychiatry, 48(4), 455-472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461511408494
Wabe, T. (2011). Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Khat (Catha Edulis Forsk): A review. Addict & Health, Summer & Autumn, 3 (3-4), 137-149.
White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets. Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Yadeta, T., Egata, G., Seyoum, B., & Marami, D. (2020). Khat chewing in pregnant women associated with prelabor rapture of membranes, evidence from Eastern Ethiopia. Pan African Medical Journal, 36(1). https://www.panafricanmedjournal.com/content/article/36/1/full/