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

Abstract Background Skin Lightening Products (SLP) are common in Africa especially in Nigeria. Adverse effects from these products present a public health concern. Data on the use of these products among medical students is scanty. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, det...

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Main Authors: O. G. Egbi, B. Kasia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-09-01
Series:Skin Health and Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.46
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spelling doaj-b484ba72898049e68fa2b4d09b037f9a2021-09-01T10:51:50ZengWileySkin Health and Disease2690-442X2021-09-0113n/an/a10.1002/ski2.46Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in NigeriaO. G. Egbi0B. Kasia1Department of Internal Medicine Niger Delta University Amassoma Bayelsa State NigeriaDepartment of Chemical Pathology, Niger Delta University Amassoma Bayelsa State NigeriaAbstract Background Skin Lightening Products (SLP) are common in Africa especially in Nigeria. Adverse effects from these products present a public health concern. Data on the use of these products among medical students is scanty. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, determinants and perception of use of SLP among female undergraduate medical students in Nigeria. Methods A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted among female medical students selected by convenient sampling. An on‐line survey was done with google forms using a semi‐structured self‐administered questionnaire containing participants’ biodata, history, pattern and perception of use of SLP. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0. Results A total of 110 respondents completed the study with over half (62; 56.4%) of them ranging between 20 and 24 years of age. The prevalence of SLP use was 45/110(40.9%) with facial cleansers being the commonest product used [23/45(51.1%)]. Over 80% of participants knew SLP could cause adverse effects with ‘skin irritation’ being the most identified [71/110(64.5%)]. Although most (80%) respondents did not think that light skin was superior to dark skin, ‘removal of discoloration/dark spots’ (40%) and ‘cosmetic reasons’ (37.8%) were the commonest reasons for use. Determinants of use of SLP were light skin color (OR 3.8, 1.572–9.318), history of use among relatives (OR 3.3, 1.384–7.793) and awareness of adverse effects (OR 3.3, 1.129–9.740). Conclusion The prevalence of use of SLP was quite high among the respondents and was predicted by ‘skin color’, ‘use among relatives’ and ‘awareness of adverse effects’. Education of the general public on their adverse effects is paramount to avoid harmful use.https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.46acnecancercosmeticsdiabetes
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author O. G. Egbi
B. Kasia
spellingShingle O. G. Egbi
B. Kasia
Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria
Skin Health and Disease
acne
cancer
cosmetics
diabetes
author_facet O. G. Egbi
B. Kasia
author_sort O. G. Egbi
title Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria
title_short Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria
title_full Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria
title_fullStr Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria
title_sort prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in nigeria
publisher Wiley
series Skin Health and Disease
issn 2690-442X
publishDate 2021-09-01
description Abstract Background Skin Lightening Products (SLP) are common in Africa especially in Nigeria. Adverse effects from these products present a public health concern. Data on the use of these products among medical students is scanty. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, determinants and perception of use of SLP among female undergraduate medical students in Nigeria. Methods A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted among female medical students selected by convenient sampling. An on‐line survey was done with google forms using a semi‐structured self‐administered questionnaire containing participants’ biodata, history, pattern and perception of use of SLP. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0. Results A total of 110 respondents completed the study with over half (62; 56.4%) of them ranging between 20 and 24 years of age. The prevalence of SLP use was 45/110(40.9%) with facial cleansers being the commonest product used [23/45(51.1%)]. Over 80% of participants knew SLP could cause adverse effects with ‘skin irritation’ being the most identified [71/110(64.5%)]. Although most (80%) respondents did not think that light skin was superior to dark skin, ‘removal of discoloration/dark spots’ (40%) and ‘cosmetic reasons’ (37.8%) were the commonest reasons for use. Determinants of use of SLP were light skin color (OR 3.8, 1.572–9.318), history of use among relatives (OR 3.3, 1.384–7.793) and awareness of adverse effects (OR 3.3, 1.129–9.740). Conclusion The prevalence of use of SLP was quite high among the respondents and was predicted by ‘skin color’, ‘use among relatives’ and ‘awareness of adverse effects’. Education of the general public on their adverse effects is paramount to avoid harmful use.
topic acne
cancer
cosmetics
diabetes
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.46
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AT bkasia prevalencedeterminantsandperceptionofuseofskinlighteningproductsamongfemalemedicalundergraduatesinnigeria
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