The globalization of whitening: prevalence of skin lighteners (or bleachers) use and its social correlates among university students in 26 countries
SOURCE: International Journal of Dermatology
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2015
TITLE AUTHOR(S): K.Peltzer, S.Pengpid, C.James
KEYWORDS: SKIN-LIGHTENING INDUSTRY, STUDENTS (COLLEGE)
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 8963
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/1665
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/1665
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2015
TITLE AUTHOR(S): K.Peltzer, S.Pengpid, C.James
KEYWORDS: SKIN-LIGHTENING INDUSTRY, STUDENTS (COLLEGE)
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 8963
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/1665
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/1665
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the use of skin lighteners and its social correlates in university students from 26 low, middle income, and emerging economy countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 19 624 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between socio-demographic, social, health risk, mental health and abuse, and the use of skin lighteners. Overall, the prevalence of previous 12-month skin lightener use was 24.5, and 16.7% in male and 30.0% in female students. The use of skin lighteners varied by country, ranging from 0% in Turkey to 83.8% in Thailand. In multivariate logistic regression analysis among both men and women, social variables (high organized religious activity and lack of personal mastery), and health variables (inconsistent condom use) were associated with skin lightening use. In addition, male students from a lower income country, having a lack of social support, and a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to use skin lighteners, and women 20-21 years old, residing on the university campus, being a student of health and welfare, having a lack of personal control, inadequate physical activity, and depressive symptoms were more likely users of skin-lightening products. Conclusion A high prevalence of skin lightener use was found in this large sample of university students and social and health-related risk factors were identified.-
Related Research Outputs:
- Mathematics literacy of final year students: South African realities
- Depressive symptoms in relation to alcohol and tobacco use in South African university students
- Attitudes towards HIV-antibody testing and people with AIDS among university students in India, South Africa and United States
- Some factors in condom-use amongst first-year Nigerian university students and black and white South Africans
- Body image and physical activity among black university students in South Africa
- Magical thinking and paranormal beliefs among secondary and university students in South Africa
- Drinking motives, behaviour and problems among black South African university students
- Factors affecting behaviours that address HIV risk among Nigerian university students
- Some notes on skin colour evolution and the sociology of race
- Evaluation of an HIV-risk reduction programme for first-year university students in South Africa
- Stress, psychological symptoms, social support and health behaviour among black students in South Africa
- Attitudes and beliefs about death and dying held by black South African university students
- Suicidal behaviour among South African university students: contributing factors, resources and prevention
- The prediction of condom use intention among South African university students
- Evaluation of a peer-led drinking and driving primary prevention programme among university students
- Drinking and driving behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and perceived risks among university students
- Inequalities in higher education and the structure of the labour market
- Doctors in a divided society: the profession and education of medical practitioners in South Africa
- Brain fag symptoms in Nigerian university students of languages and medicine
- Religiosity, personal distress and minor psychiatric morbidity among black students in South Africa