Khat use and intimate partner violence in a refugee population: a qualitative study in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of gender-based violence affecting women and girls worldwide and is exacerbated in humanitarian crises. There is evidence that substance use is associated with male perpetration of IPV. Consumption of khat-a plant containing amphetamines traditionally chewed in the horn of Africa and legal in some countries including Ethiopia-may increase risk of IPV toward women. This analysis aimed to assess perceptions on khat use among Somali refugees in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia and its association with IPV to inform an IPV and HIV prevention intervention. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study comprising individual interviews (n = 30) and focus group discussions (n = 10) was conducted in Bokolmayo refugee camp in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia in October 2016. A purposive sample of male and female Somali refugees, religious and community leaders, and service providers (n = 110 individuals; 44 women and 66 men) was included. Trained interviewers from the camp conducted the interviews and discussion, which were audio recorded, transcribed and translated. A content analysis was conducted on coded excerpts from the transcripts to identify factors contributing to IPV toward women, including khat use. Results: Participants reported that displacement has resulted in limited employment opportunities for men and increased idle time, which has led to increased khat use among men as a coping mechanism. Male khat use was perceived to be associated with perpetration of physical and sexual IPV through several mechanisms including increased anger and aggression and enhanced sexual desire. Khat use also contributes to intra-marital conflict as money allocated for a household is spent on purchasing khat. Conclusion: Khat use should be addressed as part of IPV prevention programming in this context. Livelihood interventions and other strategies to improve economic conditions, should be explored in collaboration with refugee camp authorities and community leaders as a potential avenue to mitigate the impact of khat use on women and families.

The hidden gender-based violence and associated factors among marginalised women in Southern Ethiopia

“…This finding coincided with a study done by Mekelle city ( Zenebe et al., 2014 ), Debre tabor town ( Azanaw et al., 2019 ), Debre Markos city ( Mullu et al., 2015 ) and East Hararghe Zone ( Beyene et al., 2022 ). This might be the habits like khat chewing and drinking alcohol trigger gender-based violence ( Beyene et al., 2022 ; Iyanda et al., 2021 ; Sharma et al., 2020 ). Similarly, in this study, watching pornography also predicted gender-based violence among housemaid night students.…”

Psychosocial consequences and reasons for illicit drug use among police officers in a northern Nigerian city: A mixed-method study

“…[27][28][29] In Nepal 96.1% of the women surveyed cited substance abuse as the leading cause of domestic violence and in Ethiopia use of Khat (Chata Edulis), a plant with stimulant properties contributed to intra-marital conflict as money allocated for the household was spent on purchasing khat. 30,31 All drugs have physiological effects that can impair judgement and lower inhibitions. Euphoria, increased energy, hypersexuality and feelings of grandiosity produced after drug consumption could make individuals more likely to perpetrate vio-lence toward their partners.…”

Systematic Review of Gender and Humanitarian Situations Across Africa

“…For instance, in a cross-continental study about GBV carried out by the World Health Organization, and featuring Namibia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, up to 71 per cent of the surveyed women reported having experienced physical or sexual violence from intimate partners (Ellsberg et al, 2008 in Stark and Ager, 2011). Other IPV-themed studies show the relationship between IPV and post-traumatic stress disorder (Gupta et al, 2014); the need for developing intervention programs targeted at fostering progressive attitudes towards GBV (Odwe et al, 2018); or the link between male socialisation, urban pressure and the use of hard drugs by mostly men, to IPV (Cardoso et al, 2016; Fry et al, 2019; Sharma et al, 2020). Some studies also highlighted the dangers of non-partner violence in humanitarian contexts, demonstrating that women may suffer violence or abuse from in-laws, neighbours or kin, leading to negative impacts on their psychosocial wellbeing, among other implications (Falb et al, 2013; Izumi, 2007; Murphy et al, 2020).…”

“…Other factors such as the pressures of displacement and dispossession, loss of livelihoods, precarious living conditions, gender expectations, and altered social relationships also cause people living in humanitarian settings to abuse alcohol and drugs. These could potentially lead to violence, non-cooperation, social exclusion, and heightened insecurity within camps (Ezard et al, 2011; Mootz et al, 2018; Sharma et al, 2020). It is a concern that there is little attention to women’s leadership, representation, organisation, and advocacy.…”