Skin-lightening practices among shoppers in select markets in Kumasi, Ghana: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Despite warnings about its harmful adverse effects and the implementation of regulatory bans, anecdotal reports suggest high use of skin-lightening agents in Kumasi, Ghana.Objective: To estimate the prevalence and motivation for skin-lightening agent use and nonuse among shoppers in Kumasi, Ghana.Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of shoppers in 3 of Kumasi's largest markets.Results: Of the 350 shoppers who were approached, 334 consented, for a response rate of 95%. Data were analyzed on 331 completed surveys. A total of 40.4% of individuals reported current or past use of skinlightening products, and 26.6% of men reported history of product use compared with 56.5% of women. Female sex was significantly associated with skin-lightening product use (odds ratio 3.59; 95% confidence interval 2.26-5.70). Users of skin-lightening agents were more likely to agree with statements that associated lighter skin with beauty, self-esteem, attractiveness, and wealth.Limitations: Using a nonrandomized convenience sampling method on a single city limits the generalizability of the results. Response, recall, and social desirability biases may have skewed the results, especially given the stigma associated with skin-lightening agent use. Conclusion:The practice of skin lightening among all participants is high and is associated with perceptions of increased beauty, attractiveness, self-esteem, and wealth.

Prevalence of skin bleaching and its associated factors among young adults in Ghana

“…Equally, important insights from the present study included significant differences between gender, marital status, skin complexion, location of respondents (rural/ urban), level of education, average monthly income, occupation and skin bleaching products use. The use of skin bleaching products is associated with gender (33.1% vs 18.5% : females and males, respectively) as observed in the current study, corroborating the findings of Owusuagyei et al 24 with a 26.6% and 56.5% use among males and females, respectively. A meta-analysis study reported higher prevalence among males (28%) 30 , in contrast to our study finding and that of Owusu-agyei et al 24 , demonstrating varying proportions among populations of different settings.…”

“…The use of skin bleaching products is associated with gender (33.1% vs 18.5% : females and males, respectively) as observed in the current study, corroborating the findings of Owusuagyei et al 24 with a 26.6% and 56.5% use among males and females, respectively. A meta-analysis study reported higher prevalence among males (28%) 30 , in contrast to our study finding and that of Owusu-agyei et al 24 , demonstrating varying proportions among populations of different settings. According to Owusu-agyei et al 24 females were more likely to use skin bleaching products compared to males.…”

“…Other studies reported higher prevalence in Ghana 17,24,25 . For example, the use of skin bleaching creams and products varies between 40.4% in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, 50.3% in the Greater Accra Region and 65.0% in the Bono-Ahafo Region 17,24,25 . These findings suggest a weak regulatory system on the use of skin bleaching creams and products in Ghana.…”

The dark side of skin lightening: An international collaboration and review of a public health issue affecting dermatology

“…Skin bleaching became a popular cosmetic practice in many African countries in the 1950s ( Sagoe et al, 2019 ). Up to 75% of women in Nigeria ( Dadzie and Petit, 2009 , Dlova et al, 2015 ), 60% in Senegal ( Blay, 2011 ), 50% in Mali ( Baxter, 2000 ), and 30% in Ghana are estimated to use bleaching creams regularly, with similar rates in other African countries ( Lartey et al, 2017 , Mckinley, 2001 ).Throughout the continent, both men and women are frequently targeted with marketing campaigns showing public figures who bleach their skin ( Owusu-Agyei et al, 2020 ). Consequently, individuals claim that lighter skin makes them attractive and increases their career opportunities ( Dlova et al, 2015 , Yusuf et al, 2019 ).…”

Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria

“…16 The higher percentage of international products used among participants is reflective of the poorly regulated importation and access of products into developing countries of Africa. 17 Although majority of respondents were aware of the side effects of the products, quite a number of them still patronized them. For this group of individuals, perceived benefit of the products probably outweighed the risk.…”