Title: Khat abuse
Course: Non-Communicable Diseases, Emergency Care and Mental Health Part 2 - Ethiopia (Full)

Khat abuse

Khat is an evergreen shrub grown in east Africa and used as a stimulant. Khat contains more than 40 chemicals. Most of the stimulant effect of khat is thought to come from the chemicals cathinone and cathine. Khat can be chewed, or may be brewed as tea. It can also be swallowed with a soft drink. The prevalence of khat use in different parts of Ethiopia is variable ranging between 0.3% and 64%. People usually prefer to chew khat in groups (Figure 14.4).

Figure 14.4 People chewing khat in a social group.