Khat (Catha Edulis) is a shrub native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula, its leaves have been chewed for centuries for the mild, stimulant effect they provoke in those who chew. Chewing khat is a social tradition that holds great importance in countries like Yemen, Ethiopia and Somalia, with men gathering in groups and dedicating hours to chewing khat, drinking tea and socialising. The use is widespread, used as much in poor communities as by politicians and religious leaders, and over the years khat use has spread out of the countries where the shrub grows naturally and into migrant communities all over the world.
Various health concerns have been raised in relation to the consumption of this plant, but the connection between khat and mental health problems has probably been researched most widely. Khat is of particular interest in the UK as its use remains unrestricted, with large quantities imported regularly to meet demand amongst immigrant populations.
I would be very interested in conducting a social research study into khat use amongst immigrant populations in East London, mainly looking at distribution of khat chewers in the community, how and when the leaves are chewed (e.g. does khat chewing in the UK follow the same social patterns as in countries where its grown) and whether men chew more than women.
My research question would be: Social patterns of khat consumption in immigrant populations in East London.
Examples of questions I would ask include:
- Age, sex, country of origin, employment status, time lived in UK
- Do you currently chew khat?
- If no, have you ever chewed khat (record answers and finish questions for this group)
- Do you consume khat in any other ways e.g. brew it into tea, smoke it?
- Do you smoke/take any other recreational drugs?
- How many days a week do you chew khat?
- How many hours a day, on average, do you spend chewing?
- Where and when do you chew khat, do you chew in a group or in isolation?
- Do you chew khat with the same people every day?
- How would you personally label the amount you chew – mild/moderate/heavy
- Do you feel chewing khat helps with your integration into your community, or does it make it more difficult?
- Does chewing khat affect your employment (if you are employed) … do you find yourself taking days off work/leaving work early to chew.
- If khat were restricted in the UK but you were still able to source it, would this change your pattern of consumption and how?
These are just a few examples of questions, it would be very interesting to build on these questions and try to get a good idea of just how widespread khat consumption is in this area, if it is at all.
