The Adverse Effects of Khat Chewing on Consumers Socioeconomic Wellbeing in Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Over 90% of men and 10% of women use Khat, either regularly or infrequently, primarily because to its accessibility. An estimated one-third of total income is spent on Khat purchases. The main objective of this study was to assess adverse effects of Khat chewing on consumer’s socioeconomic wellbeing. Institution-based Cross-Sectional study was conducted among 117 Khat chewers in Mogadishu, Somalia between Januarys to July 2023, in Mogadishu, Somalia. To assess adverse effects of Khat chewing on consumer’s socioeconomic wellbeing, a multivariate binary logistic regression model was employed with a statistical significance of p-value <0.05. A total of 117 participants with a Mean age ± standard deviation of respondents was 43 ± 19, with the maximum age being 83 years and the minimum age being 18 years. The participants asked that Khat consumption cause weakens of sexual performance with three options to choose from, the results of multiple binary logistic regression analysis shows that the participants who answered NO [AOR= 6.226, 95% CI: 1.763 -21.985], were six times more likely to develop socio- economic implication compared those who answered YES [AOR= 1.661, 95% CI: 0.486-5.679]. and also asked that Khat consumption cause Insomnia with three options to choose from, the results of multiple binary logistic regression analysis shows that the participants who answered YES [AOR= 2.410, 95% CI: 0.578 - 10.048], were two times more likely to develop socio-economic implication compared those who answered NO [AOR= 5.678, 95% CI: 1.392 - 23.153]. These findings suggest a potential relationship between Khat consumption and socio-economic implications related to sexual performance and insomnia.