CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

Skin bleaching is the application of various cosmetic and pharmaceutical products such as creams, injection, lotions and soaps, to the human body that contains potentially dangerous pigments which are harmful to the health in long term (Kpanake et al., 2010). During the colonial era and slavery, if you had a light skin, you were closer to the opportunities that were only afforded to white people such as high social standard (Ngunan et al., 2019). In this context, white skin slaves were separated from dark skin slaves and they were able to work indoors away from the glaring sun (Ngunan &Amaal, 2019). 

Skin bleaching has always drawn a major interest as fair or light skin color has been seen as a symbol of beauty, purity, sweetness, sex appeal, prominence, superiority and high social ranking (Emeriau. C, 2015). Due to the fact that light skin is associated with higher status, women feel the need to bleach their skin to look beautiful and attract high status mates. Many authors agree that mass media has huge impact on bringing people to bleach their skin (Fokou, 2009).

Colorism Hunter (2002) explained that it is a privileging process; also known as skin color stratification, the concept is described as a mechanism in which light-skinned people of color find favor over dark skinned people. This privileged extends to area of income, education and housing. Furthermore, Hunter (2005) explained that  light-skinned Mexican Americans and African American are more educated and reside in integrated neighborhoods .The preferential treatment afforded to members of the colored community with lighter skin complexions relates to the popular idea or concept of beauty revered in today’s society and extends even through courtship and marriage(Hunter,2004) .

 Indian women use painful processes to bleach their skin, to become more attractive to colonizers (Robinson, 2011). In Suriname too, for example, indigenous women were bleaching their skin in order to be considered more attractive to white male colonizers (Menke, 2002). Additionally, Pitche, and kombate (2005), highlighted that females in the black population have been using cosmetic skin-bleaching products as a social practice for about 30years. The use of these chemicals on the skin has proven harmful, disfiguring the skin and even death. (Miyanji de Souza, 2008). Despite the potential harm the bleaching continues to gain support through influences from popular media and localized culture (Hall, 1995).

 Skin bleaching is practiced in many countries such as, Sub-Saharan African part of the globe (Kouotou et al., 2017). It is estimated that, up to 75% of women in Nigeria, 60% in Senegal, 50% in Mali and 30% in Ghana use bleaching creams regularly, with similar rates in other African countries. Throughout the continent both men and women are frequently targeted with marketing campaigns showing public figures-heads who bleach their skin (Pollock et al., 2020). A study in Mali stated that, women, especially students (45%) frequently experienced complications related to skin bleaching (K.M. Alghamdi, 2010).

 In Cameroon, as in many other African countries, people are likely to be exposed to images associating lighter skin colors with more positive traits. The practice of skin bleaching is common among Cameroonian female University students. (Kouotou et al., 2017). It can be inferred that the practice of skin bleaching is prominent in Molyko Community (Cameroon) since it is inhabited mostly by youths. However, there’s limited research concerning this study in Molyko, therefore a need to investigate the knowledge attitude and practice of youths towards skin bleaching in Molyko Community (Cameroon).

1.2. Problem Statement

 There has been a high increase of skin bleaching practice because fair skin has been seen as a symbol of beauty and superiority (Emeriau, 2005). Among other concerns, middle aged Nigerian Women who lived in Europe died from skin complications arising from skin bleaching (Olumide et al., 2008). Based on casual observation during clinical internship particularly at the surgical ward, the researcher notice that most youths in the Molyko community (male and female) end up destroying their physical look or beauty and suffer from other health effects such as sun burns, eczema, body rashes, stretch marks and pigments. Also, some suffer from severe complications after surgery as their skin cannot withstand suturing and the wound finds it difficult to heal due to fragility of their skin caused by skin bleaching pigments. It is this for reason that the researcher found it necessary to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards skin bleaching among youths aged 18-35 years in Molyko community.

1.3. Rationale

There is a conception that light skin people are superior to dark skin people and because of the desire to get recognition in the society or have the feeling of belonging, many youths turn to skin beaching. One of the reasons as to why this is gaining more grounds is the fact that skin bleaching agents is relatively available and accessible to the community. It is in this light that the consequences of skin bleaching prompted the researcher to carry this study. As these effects are not only in the long run but also turn to increase the morbidity rate in the society with an increase in skin infections and promising increase in skin cancer. Hence, a need to educate the youths on the benefits of their natural skin color as well as the effects of skin bleaching that they are ignorant of or know absolutely nothing about it.

1.4. Research Questions

• What is the level of knowledge on skin bleaching amongst Youths age 18-35years in Molyko Community?
• What is the attitude towards skin bleaching amongst youths aged 18-35years in Molyko Community?
• What is the practice towards skin bleaching amongst youths aged 18-35years in Molyko Community?

1.5. Research Objectives

1.5.1. General objectives

To assess the level of skin bleaching knowledge, attitude and practice amongst Youths aged 18-35years in the Molyko Community.

1.5.2. Specific objectives

• To assess the level of knowledge on skin bleaching amongst youths aged 18-35years in Molyko Community.
• To determine the attitude towards skin bleaching amongst youths aged 18-35years in Molyko Community.
• To identify the practice towards skin bleaching amongst youths aged 18-35 in Molyko Community.