The Effects of Habitual Khat Use on Marital Satisfaction among Couples in South C Ward, Langata Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya.

Habitual khat use is a widespread and culturally acceptable practice in Kenya but lack of awareness its effects propagate its use in the community. Khat, a psycho stimulant, creates several central nervous system effects when ingested such as increased euphoria, motor stimulation, and a sense of excitement and energy. Its long-term effects are debilitating on the user and subsequently on his/her spouse and children. Psychosis, mood swings, depression, anxiety, physiological health problems, lack of intimacy, social isolation, antisocial behavior, s are a product of habitual khat use. These negative effects include poor communication, verbal and physical abuse, low productivity, separation and divorce, compromise of family finance, increased risk of psychopathology and physiological illness. The study targeted married couples in South C ward, Langata Constituency who engage in habitual khat chewing. Snowball sampling was used to select 398 participants. Primary data was collected using researcher administered questionnaires and the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test was used to measure marital adjustment. Two focus group discussions and secondary data from the Kadhi’s court complimented the primary data. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the quantitative data of the study. Quantitative data were tabulated using percentage and frequency distributions. Regression and correlation analysis were conducted to determine whether habitual khat use is a statistically significant predictor of decreased marital satisfaction. Template analysis was used to analyze qualitative data of interview transcripts and focus groups. The research findings indicated that habitual khat use reduces marital satisfaction due to the psychological, physiological and socioeconomic effects of khat use. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the effects of habitual khat use and marital satisfaction.