Albinism, spiritual and cultural practices, and implications for health, healthcare, and human rights: a scoping review. Issue 5 (28th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reimer-Kirkham, Sheryl; Astle, Barbara; Ero, Ikponwosa; Panchuk, Kristi; Dixon, Duncan
• Is Part Of: Disability & society. Volume 34:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 747
• Page End: 774
• Publication Date: 2019-05-28
• Subjects: Albinism -- human rights -- health -- scoping review -- literature review -- spirituality; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Special education -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 362.4
• DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2019.1566051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-7599

Abstract

Abstract: Persons with albinism – a disability found worldwide – are particularly at risk for human rights violations in Africa. The purpose of this scoping review was to establish the current state of knowledge on albinism, spiritual and cultural practices, and implications for health and health services. Electronic searches of nine databases were conducted. After screening, 40 articles were reviewed. Four themes emerged: health implications of albinism; health-related cultural and spiritual meanings attached to albinism; health-related experiences of persons with albinism; and human rights and albinism. The findings reveal that African ontologies, including witchcraft beliefs and practices, are implicated by their construction of the person with albinism as an ontologically different entity, although few studies explicated this relationship. How broader social structures influence persons with albinism disproportionately, resulting in health and social inequities, is another under-researched area. This scoping review lays the groundwork for intersectoral, interdisciplinary research.