Self-Image and Voluntary Body Modifications in Women Traders in Abidjan

Today, the African woman resorts more and more to voluntary body modifications, to give a great look to her physical features to look more beautiful. So, this study examines the relationship between self-image and the permanent or temporary nature of bodily changes in women traders. Fifty saleswomen of cosmetics aged 21 to 40 years, followers of such practices are selected at the Adjamé-Roxy market. They were subjected to Coopersmith’s Inventory of Self-esteem (1984) and a semi-directive interview to assess the nature of their body modification. The results indicate that tradeswomen with a poor self-image indulge in depigmentation, tattooing and increased volume of breasts and / or buttocks. Thus, the health structures must take into account this psychological dimension in the development of prevention measures related to this phenomenon.