Background and objectives
This research explores the trend of skin-lightening in Senegal from an experiential and health systems perspective. Skin-lightening - a practice mostly done by women consisting of topically applying lightening products - is a widespread trend in Senegal, a country still grappling with a colonial legacy of racism and colorism. Although there is growing research on the health impacts of this practice, the impact of widespread skin-lightening practices from a health system perspective remains scarcely explored.
Approach
The main research question is, “what are the health system impacts of skin-lightening trends among Senegalese women?” Three sub-questions were addressed:
1. What are the key health and health care implications of the use of skin-lightening products as identified in the literature?
2. How do these health and health care implications influence the skin-lightening practices of Senegalese women?
3. How can this knowledge inform health care decision-makers in Senegal?
A multi-phased approach consisted first of a scoping review on the topic and second, in-depth interviews with 13 Senegalese women to gather insights on skin-lightening practices and their health system implications.
Results
The findings from the two methodological approaches addressed three main themes: motivations, practices, and effects. Negative and positive motivations for the practice of skin-lightening emerged with some overlapping and nuanced factors which highlighted the complex reality of skin-lightening trends. Skin-lightening practices included two influences: community practices and personal practices of women interviewed. It appears that skin-lightening in sub-Saharan Africa can often be associated with age as it seems to greatly affect younger women. Finally, insights on the effects of skin-lightening highlighted many dermatological problems. Other health concerns were also mentioned including some mental health problems which emphasized dissatisfaction with the practice for long-term users of skin-lightening products.
Conclusion
The knowledge generated from this research highlights existing misconceptions regarding skin-lightening trends in the community. It can support a more informed health system response to the utilization of skin-lightening products and help develop evidence-informed guidance for all relevant actors in this practice
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/43708 |
| Date | 17 June 2022 |
| Creators | Kandé, Inna Fatoumata |
| Contributors | Bourgeault, Ivy |
| Publisher | Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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