The Use of Bleaching Creams among Central Sudan Students, 2010

Abubakr K. Yousif, Aimun AE. Ahmed, Abdalla E. Idris, M. O. Elmustafa, Elham H. S. Ahmed

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Drug Information Centre, Ministry of Health Gezira State, Wad Medani, Sudan.

DOI: 10.4236/pp.2014.55063                

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the use of bleaching creams containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids and mercury for skin lightening among higher secondary school students in central Sudan. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted at 19 different girls’ schools. A total of 1187 young students aged 16 - 19 years old were randomly selected and approached, using a well-structured questionnaire. The main outcome measure was a number of epidemiological factors per abusers. Results revealed that, 55.4% of the respondents misused this product, whilst 51.6% of girls used cosmetics to lighten their skin for 1 - 3 years with skin irritations prevalence of 3.3%, and the face was reported as main application site (35.4%). In conclusion, the lack of health awareness and ignorance was the main causative factor, whilst education, competent authorities awareness and prescriptions restrictions were highly recommended.

Keywords

Bleaching Creams, Cosmetics, Hydroquinone, Mercury, Corticosteroids, Sudan

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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