Assessing the Practice of Aesthetic Surgery in Kenya

Abstract

Background: The past few years have seen a global explosion of aesthetic surgery development. While aesthetic surgery has historically been associated with more developed countries in the global North and emerging markets of Asia, the WHO Africa region is reporting an increase in aesthetic surgery uptake, with various institutions offering aesthetic procedures. In East Africa, Kenya is at the forefront of these developments and has established reputable and advanced institutions offering world-class aesthetic surgery procedures. Despite this, many Kenyans still seek aesthetic surgery overseas, at a comparatively higher cost than local. Re-writing this narrative necessitates a paradigm shift in embedded perceptions that are incongruent with the country’s formidable infrastructural capabilities and human capital capacity. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the practice of aesthetic surgery in Kenya. Methodology: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study, observational in nature, observing the practice of aesthetic surgery in Kenya. The sample used in this study is a subset of 500 patients who engaged in aesthetic surgery. The sample size was 105 correspondents with previous records in the system, selected using non-probability convenience sampling. All questionnaires were duly filled with no errors and data analysed according to the study objective. Files were retrieved to obtain demographic data as well as the nature of procedure done and average total cost. The data were coded and captured for analysis using the software package SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 105 participants were enrolled into the study group. Most of the respondents were females covering 87.6% (n=92) of the study according to translated statistics, while the male respondents were 12.4% (n=13). Most of the respondents were Black/African residing and working in Kenya covering 98.1% (n=103) with the least demographic being Asians living in Kenya at 1.9% (n=2). Ninety seven point one per cent (97.1%) of the study respondents were Kenyan nationals while 2.9% covered other nationalities. A large number of respondents were living in urban areas 95.2% (n=100) and the least living in semi-rural areas 1% (n=1). xi The age of the respondents was categorized into age subgroups with the highest number being between the ages of 35-44 years at 44.8% (n=47) while the lowest frequency was found in the age group ages 65 years and above at 1.0% (n=1). Out of 105 procedures, the most common procedure among the respondents was abdominoplasty, with a frequency of 28.6% (n=30). The procedure with the least amount of respondents were vaginoplasty, blepharoplasty, body lift, rhinoplasty and facial rejuvenation with fat grafting. Each of these procedures had a frequency of 1% (n=1). The second most performed procedure was liposuction 21.9% (n=23), followed by mastopexy at 10.5% (n=11), breast augmentation at 9.55 (n=10) and Brazilian Butt Lift at 8.6%(n=9). The average cost of an abdominoplasty was US$ 5760; liposuction 360 was US$ 4490, Mastopexy was US$ 2728; breast augmentation (Implants) was US$ 5217 and Brazilian Butt lift was US$ 5652.The average cost of the same procedures in the USA were Abdominoplasty US$8275,Mastopexy US$ 8025,breast augmentation(silicon) US$6525,Liposuction 360 US$5500 and Brazilian Butt lift USD$ 5652.In Egypt,the average costs were, abdominoplasty USD$5240,mastopexy USD$ 4830,Breast Augmentation USD$5083 and Brazilian Butt lift USD $5671 while in India it was Abdominoplasty USD$ 3714,mastopexy USD$4100,Breast augmentation USD$4133,Liposuction USD$4380 and Brazilian Butt lift USD$4550. Conclusion: The scope of practice of aesthetic surgery in Kenya was comparable to other African countries and the rest of the world. Differences were noted in prevalence with abdominoplasty being the most common whereas genital cosmetic surgery the least common. The cost of surgery in Kenya was relatively cheaper when compared to the USA and was at par with Asian and other African counterparts.