title: [An epidemiologic survey on the cosmetic use of bleaching agents by the women of Bamako (Mali)].
abstract: In Mali, the cosmetic use of bleaching agents by black people has become a social phenomenon. How wide is this practice is not precisely known. We report the results of a survey conducted in Bamako among women aged from 15 to 45 years in order to evaluate the prevalence of this practice and its socio-economic factors. Two-hundred and ten women were questioned during the cluster survey. Among these, 53 (25 p. 100) used bleaching agents which were topical cortico-steroids (37), hydroquinone-containing products (21), mercury derivatives (11) and products of unknown composition (16). Dermatological side-effects were observed, but they did not hinder the use of these agents. Bleaching was particularly frequent in unmarried women (39 p. 100), literate women (34 p. 100) and female students (45 p. 100).
authors.affiliation: Institut Marchoux, Bamako, République du Mali.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahé
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Halna
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kéita
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sanogo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bobin
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001505:Beauty Culture; D044383:Black People; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008302:Mali / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics
vernacular_title: Enquête épidémiologique sur l'utilisation cosmétique de produits dépigmentants par les femmes de Bamako (Mali).