Perceptions of the use of khat among Somali immigrants living in Swedish society

• Aims: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of Somali immigrants’ perceptions of the use of khat living in Swedish society. Using khat is illegal in SwedenMethods: A phenomenographic design was used to capture different perception of using khat. Fourteen interviews were conducted with both men and women. The information was subjected to phenomenographic analysis.Findings: Perceptions of the habit of chewing khat among Somalis living in Sweden vary. The use of khat is perceived as a kind of food or as a drug. To use khat is perceived as having a physical impact on individual health, as well as an impact on social and family life. Using khat also has an impact on people’s time, because time is needed to indulge the habit. Furthermore, using khat is perceived as a medium for cultural and community cohesiveness. The Somalis prefered preventive measures in place to counter the use of khat in SwedenConclusions: The use of a phenomenographic design which captured the variation in perceptions of the habit of using khat among Somali immigrants’ living in Swedish society is helpful in guiding individual strategies in health promotion activities.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

immigrants

Khat

Somalis

perception

phenomenography

quat

Sweden

Public health science

Folkhälsovetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)