This study examined the effect of the relationship between men's khat consumption and family instability in the Yaqshid District of Mogadishu, Somalia. Khat is one of the most commonly used stimulants in Somalia, which has significant social, economic, and health consequences. Although it is historically included in social and cultural practices, its modern usage is widespread, especially among males, and it has created an issue as to whether it has an effect on the cohesion and stability of the family.

Utilising a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 196 purposively and randomly selected participants, which included khat users, non-users, wives, community leaders, rehabilitation officers, police officers, as well as mosque imams. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS.

The results suggest that the prevalence of khat consumption is high, with 78.6% of respondents indicating lifetime use. Peer influence (40.5%) was the greatest initiator of consumption. Strong negative correlations were found between men's khat use and their family stability. Respondents strongly agreed that khat use contributes to family conflict, divorce, lack of problem-solving skills, bad role modelling, and sexual dysfunction.

The study concludes that khat consumption by men is a destabilising aspect to families in Yaqshid District, being a direct cause of marital discord, poverty, and the loss of family roles and duties. Combined policy and community interventions, control of the khat market, economic empowerment measures, and family counselling facilities are recommended.

Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering plant most commonly found in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It contains cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant causing excitement, loss of appetite, and euphoria. The WHO has classified khat as a possible drug of abuse. It is outlawed in Qatar but legal and widely used in Yemen and neighbouring countries. Known locally as qat (Yemen), jaad/chat (Ethiopia, Somalia), miraa (Kenya), and marungi (Uganda, Rwanda).

The nuclear family is the smallest and most important unit for societal health and stability, and it is under serious threat from khat in Somalia. Khat-using men become less productive, causing loss of income for the family. In some cases, the khat chewer depletes meagre household resources — including livestock raised by women and children — to support his habit (Ali et al., 2021).

The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialisation in contemporary society. Each family member is uniquely affected by substance use disorders through unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence (Lander, Howsare, & Byrne, 2013). Khat is a factor in one out of two divorces in Djibouti. Acquisition of funds for khat may lead to criminal behaviour and even prostitution (Peng Li, 2023).

In Somalia, khat chewing became widespread in the mid-1960s. Before the 1980s it was mostly chewed on Thursdays and Fridays at weddings, funerals, or religious gatherings. Today Somalia has one of the highest proportions of khat users globally; 80% are estimated to be under 35 years of age (Abshir, 2020). Studies show that khat consumption leads to family instability, household poverty, irritability, and low sexual activity — contributing to marital conflict, family disintegration, shorter working days, and poor outcomes for children (Awale & Sheikh Ali, 2018).

Consistent khat chewing is associated with poor socioeconomic status, social health, and environmental impacts. While predominantly consumed by men, khat has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in women (Barre Mohamed, 2025). Teenagers with parents who abuse substances have a high chance of developing mental health problems and underachieving academically (Lewis et al., 2021).

Somalia imports approximately 12,000 bags of khat daily, valued at $400,000, delivered by more than 15 cargo flights into Mogadishu. Numerous Somali scholars have noted that Somalia could have been among Africa's most developed nations had it not imported khat (Abshir, 2020). Children of addicted parents experience guilt, anxiety, embarrassment, and isolation. Khat use delays individual and national development, causes odd-hour sleepiness, and reduces disease resistance (Mungai, 1983, cited in Omar et al., 2020).

Research on Somali communities in Norway found that marital discord and divorce are major consequences of khat use, caused by aggression, neglect, and extended home absence (Jibril and Yussuf, 2012). The experience of trauma caused by long-term conflict in Somalia also leads men to use khat as a coping mechanism, intensifying family dysfunction (Semester, 2012). Over 10 million people in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula consume khat daily. Researchers believe reducing khat use would increase family stability, work productivity, safer child care, and better public health (Awale & Sheikh Ali, 2018).

A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in Yaqshid District, Mogadishu — estimated population 203,111 including IDPs and returnees (Barre Mohamed, 2026). The Cochran (1977) formula at 95% confidence, 7% margin of error, and 50% population proportion yielded a sample of 196 participants. Data were analysed using SPSS.

Table 3.1 — Sample Size, Percentage, and Sampling Technique

Table 4.1 — Socio-demographic Characteristics

Majority were male (73%), aged 27–39 (61.2%), and married (57.7%). Notably 19.4% were divorced. Most had primary or high school education; 72.4% were employed.

Table 4.2 — Khat Use Patterns

Almost half chewed khat for more than 6 years. Most used less than 1–1.5 kg/day at ~$10/kg. Peer influence was the primary initiator (40.5%).

Table 4.3 — Perceptions of Khat Use

Table 4.4 — Impact on Family Instability (Mean Scores)

Average mean 3.8378 falls in the "Agree" range. Increased divorce rates and high family conflict registered the highest mean values.

Table 4.5 — Causes of Khat Consumption

Lack of awareness and availability of khat recorded the highest mean values among the causes identified.

This study established that khat consumption is common among adult men in Yaqshid District and strongly influenced by peer pressure, culture, availability, and ignorance of harmful effects. The majority confirmed long-term use with adverse effects on productivity, self-control, health, and family life.

Key outcomes were family conflict, increased divorce, poor role modelling, and diminished problem-solving and sexual performance. Khat use by men is not only a personal lifestyle choice — it is a severe social and family issue endangering marriage relations, household finances, and overall family well-being.

1. Community elders, religious leaders, and local organisations should actively discourage khat use and promote alternative activities supporting family stability.

2. Awareness campaigns by government, NGOs, and community leaders should educate men and families on the social, economic, and health impacts of khat use.

3. Family counselling sessions should be established to address substance-related family discord and support affected families.

4. Policy makers should regulate the importation and sale of khat to minimise easy access, particularly around workplaces and homes.

5. Employment and income-generation programmes should be developed to reduce idleness, tension, and reliance on khat among idle men.

6. Future research should examine the long-term psychological and economic impacts of khat use and conduct comparative analyses of users and non-users.

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