Albinism in Africa: Stigma, Slaughter and Awareness Campaigns

Dermatological disorders in Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012

“…Similar issues have been described in Africa (12). This is particularly problematic for individuals with albinism living in tropical countries with intense UV exposure, and these individuals are negatively impacted emotionally and physically from dermatological malignancies (13)(14)(15). Variants of the MC1R gene in patients with oculocutaneous albinism increased susceptibility to skin cancer (14).…”

Skin cancer risk factor reduction in Africa: Assessment of use of antiretroviral therapy services by human immunodeficiency virus positive albinos

“…There is stigma attached to being HIV positive [2]. In Africa there is stigma also attached to being an albino [6]. Many HIV positive patients disguise and blend with the generality of others, in order to avoid being recognized and labelled when coming to access services offered in the HIV clinic.…”

Medical Sociology in Africa

“…This leads to a number of adverse exposures such as violence, like lesbians facing "corrective" rape in South Africa. At the extreme end, some of them could be maimed and murdered similar to what happens to the persons with albinism in Tanzania and Burundi (Cruz-Inigo et al 2011) and people with kyphosis (hunchback) in southern Nigeria. The people with albinism and kyphosis are believed to be spirits who can be murdered and used for various forms of rituals.…”