Perceived Effects of Chewing khat On the Well- being of Households in Seka Chokorsa District, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background:The chewing habit of khat has increased over time to time. Habitual use of khat has certain perceived effects on the social, economic, and health wellbeing of the chewer households. This study investigates the perceived effects of chewing khat on the wellbeing of households in Seka Chokorsa District, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative approach were used to gather data. A cross-sectional study design was employed. Snowball sampling technique was used to select 133 participants using the Cochran formula. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were used to collect survey data. Key informant interviews were carried out to collect qualitative data to supplement the survey part of the study. Descriptive statistics like percentage, standard deviation, mean, and inferential statistics such as chi-square were carried out to analyze the quantitative data using SPSS version 26.0. On the other hand, thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results: The result of this study stated that khat chewing commonly among male gender, productive age group ,musilm religious, marrid,low earned and farmers.According to this study, 79.2 percent of khat chewers were regular, and spend an average of 6.52 hours each day chewing khat. Male family heads dominated the activity, and being a khatchewesrs encouraged other members of the family to join in. According to the study, the habit of chewing khat causes a variety of problems in homes, including social, economic, and health issues. Chewers and their families are vulnerable to a variety of socioeconomic and health problems as a result of spending too much time and money on procuring khat. Inability to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, educational and health fees for their households, lack of adequate relationships with household members, lack of participation in vital life events, all of which cause family conflicts, resulting in excessive malnutrition, children living on the street, and divorce with their wives in the long run. Reduced appetite, sleeping difficulties, gastrointestinal issues, tooth discoloration, depression, and anxiety were all reported health impacts. Individuals began khat chewing practice as a result of their family's chewing habit. Conclusion: Traditional and cultural values such as marriage proposals, wedding celebrations, funeral rites, social gatherings, and reconciliation procedures among the perceived benefits of chewing khatin the study area. However, the khat chewing habit was linked to the perceived negative social, economic, and health situation of the chewers' households wellbeing. The community, especially household heads, needs to be aware of the perceived negative social, economic, and health effects of khat chewing through designing educational and health strategies to bring behavioral change.