Background: Skin bleaching seems to have become common in different communities across Nigeria. The few studies that have been done in the past were limited to the southern part of Nigeria or to academic institutions only. It appears that the local communities in the northeastern region of Nigeria are seriously unaware of the possible risks related to the usage of bleaching products. The purpose of the study was to ascertain adults’ knowledge, beliefs, and practices of skin bleaching in northeastern Nigeria. Method: It was a cross sectional descriptive study that employed the multistage sampling method and the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to analyze the data. Results: It was found that skin bleaching was quite common in northeastern Nigeria. Nearly half of the respondents were not aware of the long-term hazards or negative consequences, as well as the ingredients in the skin bleaching agents. The respondents believed that the main reason why people bleach their skin was to appear more appealing to catch their partners’ attention as well as to improve their social statuses. They also believed that bleaching the skin improved their chances of getting suitors and jobs. Conclusion: The practice of skin bleaching agents was noted to be common among the communities mainly due to a strong desire for aesthetic looks, attraction and high social status despite the dangers associated with it due to lack of knowledge and wrong beliefs. Government agencies, partners, other relevant parties along with the stakeholders among the local community members including religious and traditional leaders should take steps to protect the public from the menace of the skin bleaching agents through legislation, education and all other possible innovative means. Measures should be taken against persons or organizations that disobey government restrictions regarding skin bleaching.
Cite this paper
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