Department of Human Services

A Preliminary Review of the Social, Economic & Health Effects Attributed to Khat Chewing of Somali Community in Melbourne

Said Aden (Public Health Fellow -Victorian Public Health Training Scheme-Department of Human Services)Malina Stankovska (Project Supervisor)--VTPUSteven Klimidis-VTPUVictorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit hosted the project.

Purpose of the presentation :

To discuss the results of a survey conducted in Victoria about the prevalence of Khat useSocial and health problem associated with its useInternational literature

Khat plant

Methodology

Key informant interview was used:

Forty key informants were selected from Somali community on the basis of :

Their ability to contact a large number of people from the community

Their involvement and knowledge of Somali community issues. The survey included:

People of different ages, educational and occupational backgrounds.

20 males and 20 females were interviewed.

The main roles of the key informants in the community were:

 Advocacy Working with local community

organisations Providing advice Employment/Welfare services Interpreting services

Occupation of informants

occupation Frequency Percentage %Community Development Workers 7 17.5Interpreters 7 17.5Youth workers 1 2.5Health promotion 3 7.5Family Day Care Workers 2 5Unemployed/Retired 4 10Small Business 4 10Health Officer 1 2.5Students 11 27.5

Extensive use of KhatHow extensive is Khat use in your

community?

8o% of the respondents said that many people among the Somali community use Khat

freq %I don’t know

1 2.5

A few people use it

7 17.5

Many people use it

32 80

Total 40 100

Frequency of Khat use.People who use Khat, how frequent is their use generally? Frequency Percent I don't know 2 5.0 Once per month 1 2.5 Once per fortnight 3 7.5 Once per week 18 45.0

Several times per week10 25.0 Daily 6 15.0

Total 40 100.0

Majority of the respondents said that Khat is used once per week.

Gender of Khat users

In your view, among the Khat users what proportion would be male and female? Frequency Percent

I don't know 1 2.5 Mainly male 19 47.5 More males than females 19 47.5 Equal proportion of males and females 1 2.5 Total 40 100.00

Khat use is more frequent among the males.

How concerned are you about the age groups using Khat?

05

10152025303540

Age groups

Freq

.of c

once

rn

I don't know

Not concerned

Little concerned

Very concerned

What proportion of Khat users and their families are affected financially by its use?

05

10152025303540

Khat usersaffected

financially

Minimal or not at all

Substantial ormoderate

35 respondents out of 40 said that Khat users are affected financially.

What do Khat users say about the benefits of using Khat ? (Benefits).

Benefits of using Khat (from users’ perspective)

YES (Frequency)

No (Frequency)

Personal Benefits 31 (77.5%) 9 (22.5%)

Interpersonal Benefits 27 (67.5%) 13 (32.5%)

Health Benefits 15 (37.5) 25 (62.5%)

No benefits 7 (17.5%) 33 (82.5%)

Others 3 (7.5%) 37 (92.5%)

What do you think are the benefits of using Khat?Benefits of Khat (Key informants' perspective)

Yes

Frequency/Percentage

No

Frequency)

Personal benefits 14 (35%) 26 (65%)Interpersonal Benefits 12 (30%) 28 (70%)Health Benefits 12 (30%) 28 (70%)

No Benefits 20 (50%) 20 (50%)Others 4 (10%) 36 (90%)

What do Khat users say are the negative effects of using Khat?Difficulties associated with Khat (from users) Yes NoPersonal difficulties 21 (52.5%) 19 (47.5%)Interpersonal relationship difficulties 22 (55%) 18 (45%)Work and education difficulties 23 (57.5%) 17 (42.5%)Financial problems 26 (65%) 14 (35%)Health problems 19 (47.5%) 14 (35%)No negative effects 6 (15%) 34 (85%)Others 2 (5%) 38 (95%)

What do you think are the negative effects of using Khat?From key informants’ perspective YES NOPersonal difficulties 25 (62.5%) 15 (37.5%Interpersonal relationship difficulties 29 (72.5%) 11 (27.5%)Work and education difficulties 29 (72.5) 11 (27.5%)Financial problems 30 (75.5%) 10 (25%)Health problems 27 (67.5%) 12 (30%)No side effects 0 (0%) 40 (100%)Others 5 (12.5%) 35 (87.5)

What is the effect of Khat on family relationships between spouses?

Yes No

Conflict/Argument/Dissociation 34 (85%) 6 (15%)

Interference with roles and responsibilities

34 (85%) 6 (15%)

Other 12 (30%) 28 (70%)

What is the effect of Khat on children under the care of Khat users?

YES NO

Negligent 36 (90%) 4 (10%)

Interference with education 31 (77.5%) 9 (22.5%)

Interference with socialisation 21 (52.5%) 19 (47.5%)

Others 4 (10%) 36 (90%)

Does using Khat affect peoples’ health related behaviour?Health behaviours

I don’t know Less More Total

Sleep 7(17.5%)

27(67.5%)

6(15% )

40(100%)

Smoking 6(15%)

6(15%)

28(70%)

40(100)

Coffee and tea

5(12.5%)

6(15%)

29(72.5%)

40(100%)

Unsafe driving

11(27.5%)

8(20%)

21(52.5%)

40(100%)

After effects (Fatigue)

7(17.5%)

7(17.5%)

26(65%)

40(100%)

Irritability 15 ((37.5%) 8 (20%) 17 (42.5%) 40 (100%)

Do the people in the community know that khat is illegal in Australia except under permission for personal use?

• 70% OF KEY INFORMANTS INDICATED THAT THE COMMUNITY IS NOT AWARE THAT KHAT IS ILLEGAL IN AUSTRALIA EXCEPT WITH PERMISSION FOR PERSONAL USE.

aware

30%

Not awar

e70%

Should there be a law to discourage and prevent people from using Khat?

• 72.5% of the key informants encouraged legislation to prevent people from using Khat, while 27.5% of the informants disagreed.

INFORMATION ABOUT KHAT

Have you ever read any information about Khat?

YES: 25 (62.5%) No: 15 (37.5%)

Do you think the community would benefit from receiving information about Khat?

Yes : 35 (87.5%)No: 5 (12.5%)

What is the best way to provide the community with information about Khat?

Access to hotline: Yes: 20% Brochure: Yes: 47.5% Somali radio: Yes: 60% Internet: Yes: 12.5% Others Yes: 12.5%

ANY SUGGESTIONS

Acknowledgment

Key informantsMalina Stankovska, A/Professor Harry Minas, Steven Klimidis (VTPU) Victorian Public Health Training Scheme (Department of Human Services)