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Prevalence of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics Use in Senegal: Trends and Action Prospects

Received: 1 September 2022    Accepted: 16 September 2022    Published: 27 September 2022
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Abstract

There is more and more evidence in Africa about the medical, sanitary, health, social, and economic consequences of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics (SBC) use. This is a practice that mainly affects women and which seems to be on the rise. Our work, carried out in Senegal, had the following objectives: 1) measure the prevalence and factors associated with SBC use in 4 cities in Senegal, 2) Describe the evolution of VCD practice in Africa, 3) propose innovative perspectives for the control of SBC use in Africa, after a critical analysis of the actions undertaken. The study was carried out on a representative sample of 2,689 women distributed in 4 cosmopolitan cities of Senegal. It shows an overall prevalence of 59.20% of the practice of SBC use, with significant disparities between cities. The factors associated with SBC use were: study site, age, income level, source of information on the dangers of SBC, initial skin color, existence of own income, housing status, diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight or obesity. In spite of awareness of the dangers and control actions primarily based on the cognitive model, we find persistence, even perpetuation, of SBC use. In light of the complexity of the phenomenon in Africa and the poor results observed, a holistic analysis should be used to facilitate efficient, innovative, and integrated actions.

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12
Page(s) 198-202
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Skin Bleaching Cosmetics, Prevalence, Senegal, Africa, Control, Innovation

References
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[2] Blay YA. Skin Bleaching and Global White Supremacy: By Way of Introduction. The Journal of Pan African Studies 2011; 4: 43.
[3] Sommerlad M. Skin lightening: causes and complications. Clin Exp Dermatol 2022; 47: 264–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/ced.14972.
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[5] Iftekhar N, Zhitny VP. Overview of Skin Bleaching History and Origins. Dermatol Basel Switz 2021; 237: 306–8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509727.
[6] Lightening products in Senegal: a harmful but still flourishing business – Jeune Afrique. JeuneAfrique.com n.d. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/885384/societe/produits-eclaircissants-au-senegal-un-business-nefaste-mais-toujours-florissant/ (accessed September 1, 2022).
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[10] Ly F. Volontary use of Skin-Bleaching Cosmetics (SBC). Peaulogie - Rev Sci Soc Hum Sur Peaux 2018.
[11] Akakpo S, Mouhari-Toure A, Saka B, Teclessou J, Moise Elegbede Y, Boukari T, et al. Systemic complications of voluntary use of skin-lightening cosmetics among women in Togo: a case control study. Ann Dermatol Venereologie 2015; 142: S687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annder.2015.10.553.
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[14] Gielen AC, Green LW. The impact of policy, environmental, and educational interventions: a synthesis of the evidence from two public health success stories. Health Educ Behav Off Publ Soc Public Health Educ 2015; 42: 20S-34S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198115570049.
[15] Khess petch against Ñuul kukk ! Au Sénégal Cœur Sénégal 2022. https://www.au-senegal.com/khess-petch-contre-nuul-kukk,3572.html (accessed September 1, 2022).
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Issa Wone, Ndeye Beye Ngom, Mame Ngone Leye, Fatou Fall, Bafode Timera, et al. (2022). Prevalence of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics Use in Senegal: Trends and Action Prospects. Central African Journal of Public Health, 8(5), 198-202. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12

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    ACS Style

    Issa Wone; Ndeye Beye Ngom; Mame Ngone Leye; Fatou Fall; Bafode Timera, et al. Prevalence of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics Use in Senegal: Trends and Action Prospects. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2022, 8(5), 198-202. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12

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    AMA Style

    Issa Wone, Ndeye Beye Ngom, Mame Ngone Leye, Fatou Fall, Bafode Timera, et al. Prevalence of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics Use in Senegal: Trends and Action Prospects. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2022;8(5):198-202. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12,
      author = {Issa Wone and Ndeye Beye Ngom and Mame Ngone Leye and Fatou Fall and Bafode Timera and Fatimata Ly},
      title = {Prevalence of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics Use in Senegal: Trends and Action Prospects},
      journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {8},
      number = {5},
      pages = {198-202},
      doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20220805.12},
      abstract = {There is more and more evidence in Africa about the medical, sanitary, health, social, and economic consequences of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics (SBC) use. This is a practice that mainly affects women and which seems to be on the rise. Our work, carried out in Senegal, had the following objectives: 1) measure the prevalence and factors associated with SBC use in 4 cities in Senegal, 2) Describe the evolution of VCD practice in Africa, 3) propose innovative perspectives for the control of SBC use in Africa, after a critical analysis of the actions undertaken. The study was carried out on a representative sample of 2,689 women distributed in 4 cosmopolitan cities of Senegal. It shows an overall prevalence of 59.20% of the practice of SBC use, with significant disparities between cities. The factors associated with SBC use were: study site, age, income level, source of information on the dangers of SBC, initial skin color, existence of own income, housing status, diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight or obesity. In spite of awareness of the dangers and control actions primarily based on the cognitive model, we find persistence, even perpetuation, of SBC use. In light of the complexity of the phenomenon in Africa and the poor results observed, a holistic analysis should be used to facilitate efficient, innovative, and integrated actions.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Prevalence of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics Use in Senegal: Trends and Action Prospects
    AU  - Issa Wone
    AU  - Ndeye Beye Ngom
    AU  - Mame Ngone Leye
    AU  - Fatou Fall
    AU  - Bafode Timera
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12
    T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 198
    EP  - 202
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-5781
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220805.12
    AB  - There is more and more evidence in Africa about the medical, sanitary, health, social, and economic consequences of Skin Bleaching Cosmetics (SBC) use. This is a practice that mainly affects women and which seems to be on the rise. Our work, carried out in Senegal, had the following objectives: 1) measure the prevalence and factors associated with SBC use in 4 cities in Senegal, 2) Describe the evolution of VCD practice in Africa, 3) propose innovative perspectives for the control of SBC use in Africa, after a critical analysis of the actions undertaken. The study was carried out on a representative sample of 2,689 women distributed in 4 cosmopolitan cities of Senegal. It shows an overall prevalence of 59.20% of the practice of SBC use, with significant disparities between cities. The factors associated with SBC use were: study site, age, income level, source of information on the dangers of SBC, initial skin color, existence of own income, housing status, diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight or obesity. In spite of awareness of the dangers and control actions primarily based on the cognitive model, we find persistence, even perpetuation, of SBC use. In light of the complexity of the phenomenon in Africa and the poor results observed, a holistic analysis should be used to facilitate efficient, innovative, and integrated actions.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Health Sciences Research and Training Unit, University Assane Seck (UASZ), Ziguinchor, Senegal

  • Department of Dermatology, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

  • Department of Dermatology, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

  • Department of Dermatology, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

  • Department of Dermatology, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

  • Department of Dermatology, University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

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