Health Hazard of Albinism

Albinism is considered in many communities in Nigeria as a punishment from the gods for an ancestor’s wrong doing or intercourse done during menstruation.

The family members of people with albinism experience discrimination from their communities.

Mothers of affected children are often accused of infidelity and subjected to great deal of stigma, discrimination and psychological distress to overcome stigma and discrimination ,people with albinism tend to be more withdrawn to themselves most especially children at school .

However, health related problem associated with albinism are sunburn, skin cancer and eye related problems.

One of the challenges of people with albinism is their sensitivity to the sun and hazards that accompany sensitivity ,apart from the pain and scary experience the PWA go through , it result to massive disfigures tumors on the skin when left untreated .

Albinism is found in all countries, races and group of people, it occurs in most animals too such as cheetah, lion, crocodile, snake, monkey, and rhino and among others.

People with albinism exist in Canada , Puerto Rico , UK , Panama , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , Fiji , India , Japan , Russia , Indonesia , China , Malaysia and USA .

African countries include Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Mali , South Africa , Cameroon and Malawi .