Albinism in Malawi: knowledge and beliefs from an African setting

Abstract

This article is based on a qualitative project which has set out to examine knowledge, beliefs and behaviour related to people living with albinism in Malawi. Individual, in‐depth interviews were carried out with 25 people with albinism and their family members. The findings show that most people with albinism, as well as their families, have very little knowledge about albinism, but many know and experience that the skin of people with albinism is very sensitive to the sun, and therefore take precautions to prevent injury. Stories of common myths were told, as well as stories of different relationships that are altered as a result of albinism. Stories were also told of love and approval of people with albinism. In Malawi people with albinism are considered, and consider themselves to be, disabled.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mitch Loeb for his constructive comments on this paper.

Notes

1. This study was conducted as a partial completion of a Master’s degree in International Community Health.

2. Participation in this study was voluntary, and this was made clear to the subjects either by a participant information sheet or orally by the interviewer. Confidentiality of all participants was assured, and they were asked to sign a consent sheet.

3. All quotes are transcribed directly from the respondent. Some minor changes have been made to make these more comprehensible to the reader.