Use of skin-lightening products among selected urban communities in Accra, Ghana
| Autor: | RK Gyasi, Naa Larteley Quarcoo, Andrew A. Adjei, Margaret Lartey, Mubarak Abdul-Rahman, P. Yamson, Francis D. Krampa, Paa Gyasi Hagan, Yao Tettey |
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| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Time Factors Adolescent Urban Population Cross-sectional study Skin Lightening Preparations Population Light skin Prevalence Dermatology Ghana Young Adult 030207 dermatology & venereal diseases 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Hyperpigmentation Environmental protection Informed consent Surveys and Questionnaires Environmental health Photography Humans Medicine 030212 general & internal medicine Skin Diseases Infectious Young adult Adverse effect education Physical Examination Aged Aged 80 and over Hypopigmentation education.field_of_study Descriptive statistics business.industry Middle Aged Cross-Sectional Studies Female business Ochronosis |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Dermatology. 56:32-39 |
| ISSN: | 0011-9059 |
| Popis: | Background The practice of skin lightening has been reported from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In literature, some prevalence rates exceed 50%, and both sexes are involved. Common agents used include hydroquinone, mercury, corticosteroids, and caustic agents. The agents are easily accessible and affordable with very little regulation. Cutaneous and systemic side effects occur but do not appear to be a deterrent, as the notion of light skin as a surrogate for beauty is strong. In Ghana, anecdotal reports of high bleaching rates among certain urban communities resulted in a study supported by the Food and Drugs Authority to determine various facets of this practice. Methods A cross-sectional study among adults in selected urban fishing communities of Accra was undertaken. Consecutive cases were enrolled after written informed consent. A questionnaire was administered, followed by physical examination and clinical photographs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results Of the 555 participants from the three communities, prevalence was 279 (50.3%). Duration of use ranged from 2 months to 17 years. Approximately 212 (76%) used more than one product, and 231 (82%) used agents on their face and body. Dermatological features were hypopigmentation 270 (96.8%), other color changes including ochronosis 241 (86.4%), changes in consistency 141 (50.3%), striae 157 (56.3%), and infections 42 (15.1%). Conclusions The prevalence of skin bleaching was 50.3% in these communities, which is high considering the adverse effects from the practice. We recommend regulation of products by enforcing the law, more education, and a population prevalence study. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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