Educational Attainment and Skin Lightdening: Comparing the Practice among University Educated and Less Educated Adults in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Skin-lightening practices, driven by socio-cultural, economic, and media influences, were widespread in many parts of the world, including Ghana. These practices involved the use of various products or treatments to achieve a lighter skin tone, often tied to perceived beauty standards, social status, and media representation. In Ghana, particularly in Accra, skin-lightening spanned diverse educational levels, with different motivations and health implications for university-educated and less-educated adults. Studies suggested a rising prevalence of skin-lightening in the region, posing significant public health risks, including skin damage, psychological effects, and potential systemic health issues. Understanding the prevalence and associated factors was crucial for designing effective public health interventions and regulatory policies. Aims/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of skin-lightening practices among university-educated and less-educated adults in Accra, Ghana. It also sought to explore the associated health risks, attitudes, and motivations, while hypothesizing that educational level significantly influenced knowledge, risk perception, and behavior related to skin lightening practices. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional design conducted at the University of Ghana, Legon campus, and Madina La Nkwantanang. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a stratified random sample of 355 participants (84 from Legon and 271 from Madina). The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge of skin lightening risks, perceived benefits, attitudes, and motivations. The sample distribution was intentionally weighted towards Madina to reflect the larger population of less-educated adults in the community. Validation of the questionnaire was conducted through a pilot study. Data analysis was performed using Stata software, employing descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns and control for potential confounders. Ethical approval was obtained from the NOGUCHI Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and all participants provided informed consent. Conclusion: This study yielded insights into the prevalence and factors driving skin-lightening practices in Accra. It highlighted disparities in attitudes and risk perceptions between different educational groups. The findings are anticipated to inform targeted public health strategies, such as education campaigns addressing misconceptions and risk perceptions, and regulatory policies aimed at controlling harmful skin-lightening products. By emphasizing risk perception and health implications, the study sought to promote safer practices and reduce the prevalence of skin-lightening in Ghana.