ABSTRACT
Background: Most skin lightening products are composed of some toxic chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone which are classified under critical ingredients which need evaluation. Consumption without sufficient awareness may lead to toxicities endangering skin health. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness towards the side effects of skin lightening products and associated factors among females in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Bahir Dar city from June 28 to August 28, 2022 among females that had been using skin whitening. Samples of 362 females were selected by using multistage sampling technique from selected drug retail outlets. The data was coded, cleaned, and analyzed by using SPSS version 26. The variables were analyzed through multiple regression in order to identify the associated factors towards the level of awareness on the side effects of skin lightening products. Results: Only 42.7% of the respondents had a favorable level of awareness. The highly influencing factors for using skin lightening products were peer pressure (39.9%) and social media (37.4%). Nearly half of the users experienced side effects. Only 8.9% of the respondents know the active ingredients of the products. Level of education was found to have significant association with level of awareness (AOR = 7.66, 95% CI: (1.23, 47.59); P = 0.029). Conclusion: Only less than half of women have favorable awareness towards skin lightening products they use. The significant association between educational level and level of awareness should be considered as an alternative intervention in addition to regulatory restrictions.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated factors among adult inhabitants of Bahir Dar city, northwest Ethiopia. DESIGN: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adults (n=607) of Bahir Dar city from 10 March to 20 May 2018. MEASUREMENTS: Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were taken from each participant. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) level was determined by samples taken early in the morning and readings of FBS≥126 mg/dL were classified as diabetes. The multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify the predictors of undiagnosed DM; adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI was computed to assess the strength of associations. RESULT: The study revealed that the prevalence of undiagnosed DM was 10.2% with 95% CI 7.9 to 12.9. Ever checked blood glucose level (AOR=1.91, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.51), don't know the symptoms of diabetes (AOR=2.06, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.89), family history of DM (AOR=2.5, 95% CI 1.21 to 5.18) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (AOR=1.98, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.60) were factors associated with undiagnosed DM. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of undiagnosed diabetes was high. Family history of DM, ever checked blood glucose level, don't know about the symptoms of diabetes and overweight BMI were predictors of undiagnosed DM. Hence, screening and treatment are mandatory for high-risk groups. In addition, this study suggests frequent screening for those with family history and awareness creating about the disease for early detection and treatment.