The global prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching: a meta‐analysis and meta‐regression analysis

Sagoe, Dominic; Pallesen, Ståle; Dlova, Ncoza C.; Lartey, Margaret; Ezzedine, Khaled; Dadzie, Ophelia E.

doi:10.1111/ijd.14052

Cited by 40 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…To our knowledge, this is the first published report on the use of SL in Somaliland. Our results indicate that the use of SL products among female health science students is common and close to the high global and African prevalence as reported by Sagoe et al (2019); 25.6% vs. 27.7% vs. 27.1%, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…A recent meta-analysis reported a global pooled lifetime prevalence of use of skin bleaching agents of 27.7%, and Africa specifically had an estimated prevalence of 27.1%. The authors warned that these results represent a serious global public health problem and stressed the need for epidemiologic studies in underrepresented regions (Sagoe et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To our knowledge, studies have not been published on the use of SL in greater Somalia or Somaliland (self-governing region in northwestern Somalia). The importation and sale of SL products has been banned or strongly regulated in many African, Asian, European, and North American countries, but we are not aware of any such regulations by the government or other agencies in Somaliland (Sagoe et al, 2019). As such, there are few barriers to the widespread use of SL in this population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Skin lightening practices, beliefs, and self-reported adverse effects among female health science students in Borama, Somaliland: A cross-sectional survey

Yusuf

Mahmoud

Rirash

et al. 2019

International Journal of Women's Dermatology

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BackgroundSkin-lightening (SL) products are common, especially in Africa. Adverse effects from these products represent a public health concern. Use of these products in Somaliland is unknown.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of use of SL products among female health science students, beliefs about these products and practices, and adverse effects experienced.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of female health science students at Amoud University in Borama, Somaliland.ResultsOf the 400 students who were invited to participate, 265 completed the survey (response rate: 66%). Mean participant age was 21.1 years (standard deviation: 2.0 years). The majority of students were single (91.2%) with a Fitzpatrick skin type of 3 or darker (94.2%). Past or present use of SL products was reported by 25.6% of participants, and 52.2% admitted to current use. Compared with non-users, more SL product users agreed that lighter skin color gives a woman more confidence, helps a woman have better job opportunities, and increases chances of getting married. They also agreed that advertisements on television for SL products influence a women’s preference for a lighter skin tone (p < .05). More than 60% of participants were unsure what active ingredients were in their SL products. Only 9% denied any undesirable adverse effects, and the remainder reported an array of local and systemic adverse effects. The vast majority realize that SL products may cause undesirable local (92%) and systemic (89%) adverse effects.LimitationsGeneralizability is limited because a nonrandomized convenience sample from one university was studied. Response bias also may have skewed results.ConclusionUse of SL products among female health science students in Somaliland is common, and causes cutaneous and systemic adverse reactions. Use appears influenced by beliefs about the benefits of lighter skin color. Education is needed on the proper use of these products, how to avoid harmful products, and how to prevent complications.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Skin lightening practices, beliefs, and self-reported adverse effects among female health science students in Borama, Somaliland: A cross-sectional survey

Yusuf

Mahmoud

Rirash

et al. 2019

International Journal of Women's Dermatology

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“…In a meta-analysis that was conducted, the life time prevalence of the practice of skin bleaching was estimated to be 27.7%. 5,6 Skin bleaching was found to be more common in women (43.8%) than in men (35.2%), and in younger age group that is, <30 years (56.9%) compared to 25.9% in age group of 30 to 49 years and 6.1% in those aged >60 years. It was more common among urban population (74.9%) than rural (20.5%).…”

Section: Prevalence Of Skin Bleachingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“The unfair drive to be fair”: Psychosocial aspects and implications of the use of skin lightening agents

Shivakumar¹,

Jafferany

2020

Dermatologic Therapy

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The quest to be fair is not a concept of the new world. For centuries untold, having a lighter skin tone has been considered as a trait of beauty and supremacy. Society implicates fairness as a factor for getting a prospective life partner. Media portrays fair skin tone as a predecessor for success. These subtle influences affect young minds and drive them towards wanting fair skin. Physicians observe that it is one of the most common forms of body dysmorphic disorder. This article aims to highlight the psychosocial factors that mold this mentality and the possible ill effects it can have on a person, both psychologically as well as physically.

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“…We thank Dr. Del Giudice for his interest and comments in response to our systematic review on the global prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching. 1 Dr. Del Giudice correctly points out their missing article. 2 We identified the missing article during the literature search and extracted its relevant data into our main…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching

Giudice

2019

Int J Dermatology

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The global prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching: a meta‐analysis and meta‐regression analysis

Abstract: Despite some limitations, our results indicate that the practice of skin bleaching is a serious global public health issue that should be addressed through appropriate public health interventions.

Cited by 40 publications

References 77 publications

Skin lightening practices, beliefs, and self-reported adverse effects among female health science students in Borama, Somaliland: A cross-sectional survey

Skin lightening practices, beliefs, and self-reported adverse effects among female health science students in Borama, Somaliland: A cross-sectional survey

“The unfair drive to be fair”: Psychosocial aspects and implications of the use of skin lightening agents

Prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching

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