Prevalence and geographical distribution of persons with albinism (PWA) in Togo in 2024
6 affiliations
- 1African Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Lomé, Togo
- 2Department of Public Health, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo
- 3Training and Research Center in Public Health, Lomé, Togo
- 4Scientific Direction, Pierre Fabre Foundation, Lavaur, France
- 5National Association of Persons with Albinism in Togo, Lomé, Togo
- 6Togolese Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections (SOTODERM), Lomé, Togo
Abstract
Background: Persons with albinism (PWAs) in Africa represent a vulnerable population facing social discrimination, severe health issues such as skin cancers, and precarious socioeconomic conditions. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of albinism and map the distribution of persons with albinism in Togo in 2024. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from November 2023 to October 2024 across all 39 health districts in Togo, and it included a telephone survey in which community health workers (CHWs) identified PWAs in their districts. CHWs were subsequently trained to perform onsite data collection using the Kobocollect application. Finally, the data were reviewed by national association representatives of PWAs to validate the data and address any gaps. The data were analysed using R software, while geographic mapping was performed with QGIS. Results: A total of 1,521 PWAs were identified in Togo, which is a prevalence of 18.7 PWAs per 100,000 inhabitants (equivalent to 1/5,323; 95% CI [1/5,605; 1/5,065]). Sociodemographic and regional characteristics were available for 1,433 PWAs who consented to participate in this study and were included in the PWA database in Togo. Districts such as Kpélé, Danyi, and Amou presented the highest density of PWAs. The PWA population is predominantly young, with 62.7% under 25 years of age, and it has a slight female predominance (52.2%). Approximately 70.7% of PWAs reported daily exposure to the sun without adequate protection. Moreover, 61.6% had no regular income, and only 1.4% earned over 100 000 FCFA per month. Over 30% of PWAs experienced health issues related to albinism, yet only 37% had a medical follow-up record. Conclusion: This first national study in Togo allowed us to estimate the prevalence of albinism in the country. The geographic distribution shows that PWAs are present throughout Togo, with concentrations in large cities. This type of research must continue to enable early identification and monitoring of PWAs to reduce the occurrence of serious health problems such as skin cancers.
Related
- Potential Geographical Distribution Prediction and Ecological Niche Change Analysis of Pissodes castaneus
- Tracking the Global Prevalence and Distribution of the AmpC-β-Lactamase-Carrying pESM Megaplasmid in Salmonella Minnesota
- Targeted Analysis of Whole Exome Sequencing Data Identifies Biologically Plausible Causal Variants in Genetically Unresolved Oculocutaneous Albinism Patients From India
- Microscopically detectable maternal schistosomiasis at delivery in Eastern Uganda: Prevalence, microscopy-based species distribution and associated household WASH characteristics in a hospital-based cross-sectional study
- Nécrose du membre inférieur chez un adolescent : à propos d’un cas négligé d’envenimation ophidienne dans un hôpital rural du sud Togo
BibTeX
@article{bigma2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and geographical distribution of persons with albinism (PWA) in Togo in 2024}},
author = {Malanna Bigma and Kparakate Kota-Mamah and Rodion Yao Konu and Marc Harris Dassi Tchoupa Revegue and Christophe Przybylski and Souradj Our-Yendo and Palokinam Pitche and Didier Ekouevi and Bayaki Saka},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0360507},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360507},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and geographical distribution of persons with albinism (PWA) in Togo in 2024
AU - Malanna Bigma
AU - Kparakate Kota-Mamah
AU - Rodion Yao Konu
AU - Marc Harris Dassi Tchoupa Revegue
AU - Christophe Przybylski
AU - Souradj Our-Yendo
AU - Palokinam Pitche
AU - Didier Ekouevi
AU - Bayaki Saka
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0360507
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360507
AB - Background: Persons with albinism (PWAs) in Africa represent a vulnerable population facing social discrimination, severe health issues such as skin cancers, and precarious socioeconomic conditions. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of albinism and map the distribution of persons with albinism in Togo in 2024. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from November 2023 to October 2024 across all 39 health districts in Togo, and it included a telephone survey in which community health workers (CHWs) identified PWAs in their districts. CHWs were subsequently trained to perform onsite data collection using the Kobocollect application. Finally, the data were reviewed by national association representatives of PWAs to validate the data and address any gaps. The data were analysed using R software, while geographic mapping was performed with QGIS. Results: A total of 1,521 PWAs were identified in Togo, which is a prevalence of 18.7 PWAs per 100,000 inhabitants (equivalent to 1/5,323; 95% CI [1/5,605; 1/5,065]). Sociodemographic and regional characteristics were available for 1,433 PWAs who consented to participate in this study and were included in the PWA database in Togo. Districts such as Kpélé, Danyi, and Amou presented the highest density of PWAs. The PWA population is predominantly young, with 62.7% under 25 years of age, and it has a slight female predominance (52.2%). Approximately 70.7% of PWAs reported daily exposure to the sun without adequate protection. Moreover, 61.6% had no regular income, and only 1.4% earned over 100 000 FCFA per month. Over 30% of PWAs experienced health issues related to albinism, yet only 37% had a medical follow-up record. Conclusion: This first national study in Togo allowed us to estimate the prevalence of albinism in the country. The geographic distribution shows that PWAs are present throughout Togo, with concentrations in large cities. This type of research must continue to enable early identification and monitoring of PWAs to reduce the occurrence of serious health problems such as skin cancers.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -