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Health promotion and people with disabilities

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We’d now like you to consider the example of a CBR activity in Kenya.

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Learn how CBR in Kenya helped to overcome stigma and prejudice against children with albinism in their homes.

CBR
in
Action

overcoming_stigma

In some African cultures, albinism is believed to be a result of a mother having a “sexual relationship” with evil spirits during pregnancy. Having a child with albinism is considered immoral, and both the family and child are subject to discrimination and stigmatization. Children with albinism remain hidden and their fundamental human rights — including their right to health – are denied.

Kwale District Eye Centre (KDEC) in Kenya has a CBR programme that focuses on alleviating discrimination and stigmatization towards children with albinism in their homes, schools and community environments. To ensure these children achieve their highest attainable level of health, the CBR programme uses a variety of health promotion activities and interventions, including:

  • Sensitizing community members and community leaders, village health committees, school teachers and women’s groups to attitudes and treatment of people with albinism
  • Educating parents to promote and protect their child’s health (for example, as people with albinism are at risk of sun damage, KDEC provides education about the importance of using sunscreen and protective clothing)
  • Forming partnerships with local hotels to encourage guests to donate sunscreen and unwanted items of clothing before they leave, which can be given to those in need
  • Conducting eye assessments to detect visual impairments, which are common among people with albinism, and providing glasses and low-vision devices where required

Thanks to the strong working relationship that KDEC has developed with both the health and education sectors, children with albinism are now integrated into mainstream schools.

When you are finished reading, take a few moments to consider:

  • Is there a similar individual or group of individuals in your area whose health is compromised as a result of stigma and discrimination?
  • What steps can your organization take to improve the health of this individual or group?

Enter your thoughts in the box below and select Save.

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