Abstract
Vitiligo is a visible depigmenting skin condition, particularly noticeable on Black skin. There is widespread
misunderstanding of the condition. Using a participatory form of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
(IPA), we conducted eight semi-structured interviews with Nigerians living with vitiligo. Participants
described their initial attempts to understand the condition, which typically drew on both traditional illness
beliefs, religious influences, and the biomedical disease model. All participants reported experiencing marked
stigmatization and discrimination. Participants experienced distress associated with thoughts about the personal
meaning of the disease including its impact on their appearance and from concerns about anticipated
and direct discrimination. Despite the wide-ranging impact, the participants’ narratives also contained references
to the development of strategies that maintained wellbeing. This study provides valuable insights into
the role of faith and traditional beliefs in both the experience and management of vitiligo in Nigeria. These
insights can be used to develop individual and community interventions.
misunderstanding of the condition. Using a participatory form of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
(IPA), we conducted eight semi-structured interviews with Nigerians living with vitiligo. Participants
described their initial attempts to understand the condition, which typically drew on both traditional illness
beliefs, religious influences, and the biomedical disease model. All participants reported experiencing marked
stigmatization and discrimination. Participants experienced distress associated with thoughts about the personal
meaning of the disease including its impact on their appearance and from concerns about anticipated
and direct discrimination. Despite the wide-ranging impact, the participants’ narratives also contained references
to the development of strategies that maintained wellbeing. This study provides valuable insights into
the role of faith and traditional beliefs in both the experience and management of vitiligo in Nigeria. These
insights can be used to develop individual and community interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Health Psychology |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 30 Jul 2024 |
Keywords
- interpretative phenonomenological analysis
- psychodermatology
- qualitative research
- stigmatization
- vitiligo