Abstract
Albinism in Tanzania causes fierce health-related stigma. Little research has focused on the impact of stigma reduction strategies aiming to reduce albinism related stigma. Therefore, this research assessed the impact of two short video interventions among high school students in Tanzania on their attitude towards people with albinism: a contact intervention (n = 95) and an education intervention (n = 97). A mixed method design was used. Directly before and after the interventions impact was measured among all participants through the Albinism Social Distance Scale for Adolescents (ASDS-A), knowledge items, and entertainment items. After these measurements focus group discussions were conducted, 16 in total (n = 80). Both interventions caused a significant increase in the levels of correct knowledge about albinism. The education intervention entailed a significant positive change in attitude measured through the ASDS-A, whereas the contact intervention did not have a significant effect. In terms of entertainment value, the respondents were more enthusiastic about the contact intervention. The study suggests that education interventions on their own can be a successful tool in decreasing albinism related stigma. Additionally, qualitative findings show many positive outcomes for the contact intervention. Therefore, we would recommend using a combination of these two interventions, which has also proved successful in the past. However, more research on the effect of a combination of the two strategies is recommended.
Highlights
Health-related stigma has a large negative effect on the lives of people with albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa (Affram et al, 2019; Braathen & Ingstad, 2006; Bradbury-Jones et al, 2018; Brocco, 2016)
In a variety of studies public health interventions to reduce the stigmatization of people with albinism are recommended (Cruz-Inigo, 2011; Hong et al, 2006; Mostert, 2016; Uromi, 2014), little research has assessed the impact of stigma reduction strategies in relation to albinism in Tanzania
The Albinism Social Distance Scale for Adolescents (ASDS-A) Changes in attitude towards people with albinism were measured through the 12-item ASDS-A, measuring social distance (e.g. S-05 How would you feel to have someone like John/Joyce as a family member?)
Summary
Health-related stigma has a large negative effect on the lives of people with albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa (Affram et al, 2019; Braathen & Ingstad, 2006; Bradbury-Jones et al, 2018; Brocco, 2016). The absence of melanin causes the decreased or complete lack of pigment which causes the skin to lack the natural protection against UV-rays, which makes people with albinism sensitive to sunlight, resulting in a high risk to suffer from skin cancer (Lookingbill et al, 1995). In Tanzania albinism has led to fierce stigmatization that is accompanied by a large variety of myths and beliefs (Brocco, 2016; Bryceson et al, 2010; Kromberg, 2018b). In a variety of studies public health interventions to reduce the stigmatization of people with albinism are recommended (Cruz-Inigo, 2011; Hong et al, 2006; Mostert, 2016; Uromi, 2014), little research has assessed the impact of stigma reduction strategies in relation to albinism in Tanzania
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