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EuroKhat: A pilot study on Khat consumption among Yemeni migrants in Germany
Abdullah Shabalah1, Nils Opel2, Alexander Refisch3
1Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
Ethnopharmacological Relevance:
Khat (Catha edulis), an amphetamine-like stimulant, is deeply rooted in the sociocultural traditions of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, with regular consumption reported by 90 % of men and 50 % of women in Yemen. Beyond its sociocultural role, khat use has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including anxiety, insomnia, stress, dysphoric mood, and, in cases of frequent high-dose use, psychosis. Migration to non-khat-producing countries in Europe may alter consumption patterns, yet data on its use among Yemeni migrants in Germany remains limited.
Material And Methods:
This study examined khat consumption patterns among Yemeni migrants in Germany compared to a non-Yemeni control group. A total of 278 participants (159 Yemeni migrants and 119 non-Yemeni residents) completed an anonymous online survey assessing sociodemographic factors, substance use, and mental health, using validated scales (DASS-21, UCLA Loneliness Scale, SCL-90).
Results:
Reported Khat use was prevalent among Yemeni migrants (63.5 % lifetime use), however retrospective assessments indicate a significant decline in frequent use post-migration. The fraction of participants reporting rare or no use increased from 30 % in Yemen to 75 % in Germany, while occasional use remained stable. No significant associations were found between khat use and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress, or psychotic symptoms). However, a significant negative correlation between khat use and loneliness (ρ = -0.29, p = 0.003). None of the control group had ever used khat, yet they reported significantly higher alcohol and cannabis consumption.
Conclusion:
While khat remains a key cultural practice in Yemeni migrants, none of the non-Yemeni residents ever consumed Khat. In contrast, non-Yemeni reported higher alcohol and cannabis use, underscoring sociocultural influences on substance use. As a pilot study with limited sample size and descriptive analyses, the findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution. Future research should explore the role of cultural adaptation and social integration in shaping substance use behaviors among migrant populations.
