A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF COSMETICS UTILIZATION AND SELF REPORTED ADVERSE REACTIONS AMONG WOLLO UNIVERSITY DESSIE CAMPUS FEMALE STUDENTS, DESSIE, NORTH EAST ETHIOPIA.

Birhanu Geta Meharie, Abyou Seyfu Ambaye, Yohannes Mengesha T/haimanot and Seyfe Asrade Atnafie*

ABSTRACT

Background: Cosmetics are chemicals applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering appearance. In recent years, the consumption of cosmetics and associated adverse effects are increasing. Hence studying their utilization pattern and impact would be important.the purpose of this study is to assess cosmetics utilization pattern and common cosmetics related adverse reactions among Wollo University, Dessie campus female students. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on cosmetics utilization pattern and related adverse reactions, among Wollo University Desssie campus female students, from January to June, 2014. The study participants were selected by stratified simple random sampling technique from all colleges of the university. Data were collected by using self administered, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Result: The study showed that 97.3% of the participants had a habit of using cosmetics. The most frequently used cosmetic products were lotions (89.7%) and hair cosmetics (88.8%). Cosmetics related adverse reactions were encountered by 31.8% of cosmetics users. Use of more than five cosmetics (OR=6.538, 95% CI=1.173−36.439), sharing cosmetics (OR=1.950, 95% CI=1.606−6.105), adding water or saliva (OR=2.365, 95% CI=1.052-5.885), traditional cosmetics users were associated with high incidence of adverse effects (OR=2.127, 95% CI= 1.334-6.036). In contrast, buying cosmetics from drug retail outlets was associated with less incidence of adverse effects than buying from super markets and local shops (OR=2.127, 95% CI= 1.334-6.036). Conclusion: According to the study, significant proportion of the users suffered from cosmetics related adverse reactions.

Keywords: Cosmetics, Utilization, Adverse reactions, Wollo University.