The objective is to s
tudy the knowledge
that
albinos have on skin cancers,
and
their attitudes in terms of primary prevention and the screening practices for skin cancers in Burkina Faso. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive KAP study conducted from May 18th to July 7th 2015. It involved albinos aged at least 12 years. Their general knowledge, prevention attitudes and screening practices were considered. Results: All the responding albinos had already heard about skin cancers. Their main source of information was health workers (65.6%). They were showing at least two risk factors (99.2%) but only 68.3% affirmed having already undergone screening for skin cancer. Ignorance of the existence of screening was the main obstacle to it (16/26). The prevention means used was sun avoidance, the use of cream and protection clothing respectively in 84%, 41.5% and 51.2%. The skin lesions found were hyperpigmented macules (77.8%) then actinic keratosis (40.7%) and finally cheilitis (35.8%). We detected 4 cases of skin cancers confirmed by biopsy. Conclusion: Risk factors are frequent. Participation to screening is still insignificant. A lot is still to be done to extend the protec
tion means. A good awareness-raising campaign and the accessibility to protection means remain for all, the best defense in the fight against skin cancers in albinos.
Skin cancer is a major public health matter at the global level with 14.1 million of new cases in 2012 and 8.2 million deaths per cancer [1] .
Skin cancers are among those that have increased the most over the past fifty years [2] . In Switzerland and in the USA, they represent 1/3 of new cases [3] . In Africa, they represent between 7.5% and 11.83% of all cancers [4] [5] .
Apart from albinism, the main risk factor is ionizing radiation. Albinos, due to their melanin deficiency, are more sensitive to the effects of ultraviolet rays [6] - [8] . In fact sun exposure seems to be the major risk factor in the development of skin cancers in albinos in the African countries ranked among the sunniest of the planet [6] - [9] . These cancers develop mostly on precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis, cheilitis, burn scars and chronic wounds [10] . Protection from ultraviolet rays and the treatment of precancerous lesions help prevent the appearance of skin cancers in albinos [7] .
In our context of work, many albinos having precancerous and cancerous lesions were received in consultation. The diagnosis of cancer seems late for large lesions. The treatment is mostly surgical, delicate and the life and esthetic prognosis is unfavourable. Several studies were conducted on skin cancers in Burkina Faso. However, any of them dealt with skin cancers in albinos specifically, though they constituted a vulnerable group. The “Association burkinabè pour l’intégration des personnes albinos (ABIPA)”, Burkinabe Association for the Integration of Albinos was created to defend their cause. Thus, this association works towards the well-being of albinos through several activities like counseling of albinos and their families about the harmfulness of the sun and the need for protection; the organizing of dermatological consultations and the sharing of equipments to protect from the sun [11] . Despite all these efforts, albinos still seem not informed enough on skin cancer. Therefore, it appeared important to us to conduct this survey, in order to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of albinos before dealing with the prevention measures and the screening of skin cancers in Burkina Faso.
2. Methodology
Type and period of the study: We have conducted a cross-sectional and descriptive study covering the period from May 18th to July 7th 2015.
Site of the study: Our study took place in Burkina Faso, a country located in the heart of western Africa. Its population is amounted to 16,484 in 2014 [12] . Those under 12 years represent 46% of the population. According to ABIPA which periodically gathers albinos in four sites (Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora and Tenkodogo), the number of albinos is estimated at 500 in 2014 all over the national territory, i.e. one albinos for 32,484 inhabitants [11] .
Population of the study: there was no available list of all the albinos of Burkina Faso. As there was no sampling frame, we did a convenience sampling. The method used was the ‘‘camp’’ method. The meeting with the albinos, in order to include them in the study, was taking place on the occasion of consultations organized for this purpose. Were included in our study all the albinos aged at least 12 years, who were received in consultation in the four zones of gathering that are Bobo Dioulasso, Banfora, Tenkodogo and Ouagadougou and for whom we got their informed consent or that of their parents (for minors). The expected total number of albinos meeting the conditions to be included in the study was 270. Eighty-two came for consultation and were all included in the study.
Data collection procedure: We were able gather the albinos thanks to communicate through radio stations and by telephone calls. In each meeting site, we had a thought leader (member of the local section of the association) who was going door-to-door the days before our arrival to motivate the albinos, so that they take part in the study. We went to the four sites where the questionnaire was administered. The information was collected during interviews with the albinos. We were interested in their general knowledge of risk factors and the screening of skin cancers. Their prevention attitudes and screening practices were considered.
A pre-test was first of all given to subjects that were taking part in the study, in order to assess to validity of the questionnaire. We numbered 10 risk factors of skin cancers. Each factor found by the surveyors was noted by one point. The knowledge of risk factors was considered null or bad if the total score was equal to zero or inferior to 3. The knowledge was considered average, when the total score was between 3 and 6 points. It was good when the total number of points was superior to 6 points.
Data treatment and analysis: The data collected were recorded manually and served to measure the variables retained for our study. The data treatment and analysis was done by computer with the French version of the software Epi Data 3.1 and then an export of the data was made on the software SPSS for a clearance and the analysis according to the subjects addressed. The construction of graphs was done by the software Excel 2007.
Ethical consideration: We got the authorization of the Ministry of Health, as well as the various administrations’ leaders of the areas concerned. The albinos and those accompanying them, for minors, were informed of the objectives of the survey and their consent was requested and obtained before their participation in the study. Anonymity was respected.
3. Results3.1. General Knowledge of Skin Cancer3.1.1. Sources of Information on Skin Cancer
Eighty two (82 albinos) were interviewed, being a proportion of 30.4% compared to the total number expected. All the albinos surveyed had already heard about skin cancers. However, only 74.4% (61/82) could remember their first source of information. They received the information from health workers in 65.6% (40/61) cases (Figure 1).
3.1.2. Knowledge of Risk Factors
All albinos surveyed in our series had answered to questions relating to risk factors of cancers. They all knew at least one risk factor and 79.3% (65/82) had a good knowledge of risk factors (at least 6 factors were known). The long exposure to the sun was mentioned as a risk factor of skin cancer in 91.5% (75/82) (Table 1).
3.1.3. Knowledge of Precancerous Lesions
Thirty albinos were affirming to know precancerous lesions and 20 among them (66.7%) mentioned chronic ulcerations as precancerous lesions. Twenty-nine albinos knew that the detection and early treatment of precancerous lesions helps avoid that these lesions turn into a cancer.
Distribution of albinos according to the sources of information on skin cancer
Distribution of albinos according to their knowledge of skin risk factors
Risk factors
Number of albinos
Long exposure to the sun Tobacco addiction
75 53
Occupational exposure
64
Hydroquinone/cosmetic products
75
Albinism
68
Immunodepression due to HIV
13
Antecedent of personal skin cancer
70
Burn scar
60
Hyperpigmented mark
43
Chronic wound
74
3.1.4. Knowledge of Screening
All the albinos interviewed talked about the frequency and the target population of the screening. Among them, 39% (33/82) thought everybody was concerned by the screening and 33% (27/82) thought that albinos were the most concerned by the screening of skin cancer. Moreover, 42.7% (35/82) thought that there should be a routine screening every trimester and 39% (32/82) of albinos thought that consultation should be based on one’s availability.
3.2. Prevention Attitudes3.2.1. Risk Factors Found
The albinos included were presenting apart from albinism, risk factors in 100% (82/82) of cases. The main risk factor presented by the albinos was sun exposure which was real in 85.4% (70/82) of cases. In 76.8% (63/82), the albinos were showing each at least three risk factors.
3.2.2. Primary Prevention Attitudes
All the albinos knew that there are primary prevention means. Seventy-five i.e. (91.5%) of them had used at least one prevention means. To avoid the occurrence of skin cancers, 51.2% were wearing protecting clothing; 42.5% were using protecting creams and 84% were practicing sun avoidance.
3.2.3. Secondary Prevention Attitudes
Out of 82 albinos, 22 (26.8%) had in the past precancerous lesions. Sixteen had consulted and were treated. The lesions mostly observed were hyperpigmented macules (17/22), then actinic keratosis (9/22) and cheilitis (8/22). During our study, we detected 4 cases of skin cancers (2 cases of epidermoid carcinomas and 2 cases of basal cell carcinomas) that were confirmed by biopsy and treated surgically.
3.3. The Practice of Screening3.3.1. Age at First Screening
A total of 56 albinos (68.3%) affirmed having already undergone skin cancer screening. Forty-five (54.9%) affirmed having been screened after 12. The age at first screening varied from 2 to 50 years. In 30.5% of cases, the first screening occurred between 12 and 21 years.
3.3.2. Place of the First Screening
Among the 56 albinos that had already undergone screening, 22 (39,3%) had their first screening in a Health and Social Promotion Center (CSPS) (level 1), 30.3% in a Medical Center with Surgical Unit (CMA) (level 2); 28.6% in a Dermatology Unit and 1.8% in a Cancer Department (level 3).
3.3.3. Reasons for Non-Screening
In our surveyed population, 26 albinos had never undergone screening for skin cancer. Among them, 12 affirmed not knowing that screening was possible. Five never did it, due to a lack of resources to pay for the consultation. Three affirmed not having undesirable symptoms that could motivate them for screening. Three affirmed not knowing a place for screening. In two cases, the distance from the health center was the reason for the non-screening.
4. Discussion
The high cost of such a study and the lack of financing were the limitations to our study. An appropriate financing would have enabled us spend more time in the regions, go door to door to the albinos who did not come on the consultation day. Besides, the Association of Albinos (ABIPA) would have better mobilized its members. This would have led to a better response rate.
Though figures vary, we think that in Northern America and in Europe a person over 20,000 suffers from albinism at various degrees. In Tanzania and throughout Eastern Africa, albinism is much more expanded, with about one person affected over 2000 [13] . In Burkina Faso, there are not yet reliable statistics on the number of albinos, but according to ABIPA they were about 500 in 2014, i.e. one albino person for 324,484 inhabitants [11] [12] . Only 30.4% compared to the total number expected in theory came for consultation and were included in this study. Albinos feel stigmatized, exploited and most often they tend to hide instead of showing themselves. If not by the intervention of their peers, local leaders of their association (ABIPA), the rate of respondents would have been much lower.
All albinos surveyed were informed and aware of the existence of skin cancer. This could be explained by the real sensitization efforts of the Burkinabe Association for the Integration of Albinos (ABIPA). In fact, it carries out several activities like the counseling of albinos and their families on the harmfulness of the sun and the necessity to protect oneself, the organizing of dermatological consultations and the sharing of protecting equipments (clothes, creams). The health workers were the main source of information of albinos in our series (40/61). In Zimbabwe [6] , only 11.8% of albinos had the health workers as a source of information. This could be explained by the collaboration existing between health workers and ABIPA in Burkina Faso during awareness-raising and free consultation campaigns. The provision of enough means to this association would make it more efficient all over the territory and would form real barrier to skin cancer in Burkinabe albinos exposed to several risk factors.
All the albinos surveyed (82/82) answered to the questions relating to risk factors. All of them knew about at least one risk factor and the long exposure to the sun was the most mentioned (75/82). Similar results were noted in the literature (100%) [6] . Melanin is a real filter that protects from sunrays. Albinism is the privation from the protecting melanin [14] . The skin of albinos is therefore particularly fragile to sunrays [7] . Our results clearly show that albinos are well-informed about the risk factors they are confronted with and mostly about the harmful effect of the sun on the skin. Despite all, there is still the need to organize awareness-raising and screening campaigns.
All the albinos (82/82) talked about the frequency of screening and the target population. Albinos are a risk group for skin cancer and must benefit from a routine screening [2] . In our study, several albinos are not aware of their predisposition to skin cancers and did not see the interest of screening for albinos especially. Routine screening every 3 months is the appropriate practical attitude to adopt [2] . This practical attitude was recognized by a proportion of 42.7% (35/82) only in our study. It is therefore important to organize regular screening campaigns, if possible by region and mostly make them affordable for albinos.
The albinos had a good knowledge of risk factors, but could not protect themselves efficiently. The majority of the albinos had at least three risk factors in our series. The main risk factor found, apart from albinism was the long exposure to the sun (85.7%). Skin cancer is the main cause of death associated with albinism and sun exposure associated with albinism is the main risk for skin cancer [8] [9] [15] . The long exposure to the sun was the main risk factor for cancers in albinos in other sunnier countries like Nigeria (75% of albinos) [16] and Zimbabwe (100%) [6] . Like in Burkina Faso, most of albinos as the rest of the population live on farm work and are therefore very exposed to the sun. These living conditions complicate the prevention of which the best attitude is sun avoidance. Some albinos (84%) were using sun avoidance once in a while as a means of protection.
The other means of protection such as solar creams and clothing were less used because of their unaffordability. This situation is similar to that of other African countries. In fact many albinos were not wearing hats and most of them were even wearing short-sleeve shirts [7] . There is need for awareness-raising and a distribution of protecting creams and long-sleeve shirts to all albinos.
Screening Practices
Only 56/82 of albinos affirmed having undergone screening for skin cancer. Most of them i.e. 22/56 had their first screening in a CSPS. Mabula [8] in Tanzania had noted that 71.9% of patients having precancerous and cancerous lesions were consulting and treating their pathology firstly in peripheral health centers. This could be explained by the arrangement of our health systems, which consists in consulting first in peripheral health centers, in accordance with the directives of the Alma Ata Conference [17] . The ideal would be to form the agents of peripheral health centers (nurses) in the detection of suspicious lesions on skins of albinos coming for screening. In the reasons for non- screening 12/82 albinos affirmed not knowing that screening was being done. To do this, the information should be given to a greater number of people through the organizing of more awareness-raising campaigns and the drawing of the list of all the albinos of Burkina Faso, in order to better disseminate the information.
The screening of precancerous lesions is one the bedrocks in the fight against skin cancer in albinos. It is effective, because its evolution towards a cancer is long [7] [18] [19] . The marks of the evolution towards skin cancers appear on the albinos from their first anniversary. The subclinical malign transformations were already present at 20 years and the cancer was becoming invasive, diffuse and leading to death in the third or fourth decade. Four successive stages which can be detected were therefore established. Stage 1 is represented by a burn. Stage 2 is marked by skin atrophy. Stage 3 corresponds to solar keratosis and stage 4 to clinical carcinoma [7] .
5. Conclusion
Most of the albinos had a good knowledge of risk factors. However, many of them were accumulating several risk factors. The most used prevention measure was sun avoidance. Routine screening of cancer was not respected by all the albinos and the main reason raised was the ignorance of the existence of routine screening and its necessity. The corollary is the several precancerous lesions found in the albinos of our study. We have also found cases of cancer or antecedents of cancers. Sun avoidance remains the most effective method against sunrays, but the most difficult in countries like Burkina Faso where people live on farming. A more effective fight against skin cancer in albinos in Burkina Faso goes through the building of ABIPA’s awareness-raising capacity, the availability of protection means like clothing and protecting creams. In addition, health workers should make of each consultation an opportunity for screening.
Cite this paper
Ouédraogo, S., Zongo, N., Korsaga-Somé, N., Kaboré, S.M.S., Ouangré, E., Zida, M., Ouédraogo, A.S., Bambara, A.H., Bambara, A.T., Traoré, S.S., Niamba, P., Traoré, A. and Dem, A. (2016) Survey on the Knowledge, Attitudes, Primary Prevention Practices and Screening of Skin Cancers in Albinos in Burkina Faso. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 7, 812-823. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jct.2016.711081
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