PREVALENCE, KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND CUTANEOUS EFFECT OF SKIN BLEACHING AMONG ADULTS, LIVING IN MMC AND JERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, BORNO STATE

ABSTRACT Skin bleaching is as an act of brightening the skin complexion using mixtures of chemical substances and physical treatments for cosmetic purposes. It has been on a global rise despite the tremendous immediate and longtime side effects of such practices. The practice of skin bleaching is intertwined with personal identity, self-image and racial supremacy. Over the past four decades, the practice of skin bleaching has been on the rise among adults including teenagers all over the world, 40-77% of the sub-Saharan population are said to be involved in one form of skin bleaching or the other and in 2018 WHO published that the prevalence of skin bleaching in Nigeria was as high 77% making Nigeria the leading country in Africa. This survey was aimed at determining the reasons for such a rise in prevalence in Nigeria and the contribution of our locality (MMC and JERE) to this global burden and to contribute to the social change through creating awareness and also add to the local and international data on skin bleaching practices. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using multi-stage sampling method. The sample consisted of 422 respondents selected from 4 wards in MMC and 3 wards in JERE local government areas of Borno state. The tool used for this survey was an interviewed based questionnaire which consisted of structured questions and responses from the respondents were obtained. The result of this survey showed that, about one third 135 (32.0%) of the respondents were found to be active users of skin bleaching agents, while a minority 52(18.1%) had used skin bleaching agent before. Majority of the respondents 381 (90.3%) were aware of skin bleaching agents where most got their information from friends 240 (56.9%). About one third of the respondents 135 (32.0%) were currently practicing skin bleaching. More than half of the respondents 238(56.4%) are aware of the side effects of skin bleaching with the commonest identified effect being skin discoloration. However about one third 44 (32.6%) of active users have experienced side effects were 56 (26.9) were found to have skin discoloration. Government and related agencies should create awareness through community leaders, religious leaders, youth leaders and other platforms about acceptance and appreciation of once colour and nature. More ever, Agencies like NAFDAC and NDLEA should sanctioned any person found selling bleaching agents.