The goal of a recent study published JAAD International was to characterize demographics, health-related factors, sun-protective behaviors, and psychosocial challenges of people living with albinism (PWA) in Botswana.

The current survey recruited 50 PWA and 99 patients without albinism (non-PWA).

The findings revealed that higher proportions of PWA lived in rural areas; PWA reported limited access to healthcare more frequently compared with non-PWA. High proportions of PWA adopted sun-protective measures, such as – sunscreen, clothing and sunlight avoidance. Although this population had high rates of feeling accepted by family and peers, they had increased odds of feeling unaccepted by their community, stigmatized by society and affected by stigma in social interactions compared to non-PWA. Furthermore, three-fourths of PWA had witnessed mistreatment of PWA.

Thus, PWA faced increased medical and psychosocial challenges compared with non-PWA in Botswana. These findings can serve as useful considerations while devising public health strategies for this population.

Source: JAAD International. 2021 Jan 28;2:153-163. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2020.12.002.