Adaptation of a Sensory Reactivity Assessment for Use With Children in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Sensory reactivity (SR) difficulties are characterised by problems regulating an individual's responses to sensory input such that it interferes with occupational performance in daily tasks. South African occupational therapists use assessments developed in the United States to identify SR difficulties in children. These have been found to be inappropriate for the South African context.

Sensory reactivity assessment in children: A systematic review.

Aim: To identify sensory reactivity assessments published in the literature for children aged 3 to 12 years and evaluate their psychometric properties to select the most appropriate one for adaptation to South Africa, with implications for other low- and middle-income countries.

Method: We addressed the following two review questions. What tests have been published in the literature in the past 30 years to evaluate sensory reactivity with children aged 3 to 12 years? What is the validity and reliability of the tests reported in the studies? The COnsensus-based standards for the Selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology was used.

Personal barriers to participation in chosen instrumental activities of daily living among community-dwelling persons with schizophrenia in Rwanda.

Background: Mental disorders are a major health concern across the globe. Schizophrenia, one of the mental disorders, affects approximately 20 million people globally and 5 million people within the African continent. Schizophrenia can affect all areas of life, including participation in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

The use and value of play: Perspectives from the continent of Africa - a scoping review.

Background: Published play knowledge predominantly originates outside Africa. This review was undertaken to summarize sources on play originating from the continent of Africa.

Objective: To locate and summarize sources on the use and value of play in human development and learning from the African continent.

Professional competencies required by occupational therapists to facilitate the participation of persons with mental disability in work: A review of the literature.

Background: Unemployment rates are generally higher among persons with mental disabilities who experience many barriers and challenges that limit their participation in work and employment. Occupational therapy can play a key role in promoting participation and engagement in work by persons with mental disabilities.

Objective: This review sought to identify the barriers and facilitators to work participation for persons with mental disabilities globally in comparison to Zimbabwe, and to identify the competencies related to work practice in occupational therapy curricula internationally and regionally.

Inter-sectoral work practice in Zimbabwe: Professional competencies required by occupational therapists to facilitate work participation of persons with disabilities.

Background: Persons with disabilities experience higher unemployment rates and limited participation in work. Occupational therapy can promote participation and engagement in work by persons with disabilities. However, there is no clarity on the required set of competencies for entry-level occupational therapists with a bachelor's degree to start up and participate in inter-sectoral work practice initiatives in Zimbabwe.

Lived experiences of caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Kenya.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a global public health concern. In African countries such as Kenya, there is a greater need for establishing support services for developmental disorders such as ASD. The emotional, social and economic burden of ASD on caregivers is unknown because of a number of challenges.

Policymakers' Perspectives Towards Developing a Guideline to Inform Policy on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has a high prevalence in South Africa, especially among the poor socioeconomic communities. However, there is no specific policy to address FASD. Using a qualitative study design, we explored the perspectives of policymakers on guidelines/policies for FASD, current practices and interventions, and what practices and interventions could be included in a policy for FASD.

Exploring service providers' perspectives on the prevention and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in South Africa: a qualitative study.

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is among the leading causes of developmental and intellectual disabilities in individuals. Although efforts are being made toward the prevention and management of FASD in South Africa, the prevalence remains high. The sustained high prevalence could be attributed to several factors, including the lack of policy for a coordinated effort to prevent, diagnose and manage FASD nationally.

The experiences and challenges faced by rehabilitation community service therapists within the South African Primary Healthcare health system.

Background: Twenty-two years after the promulgation of a plethora of progressive health policies since 1994, the South African public health system reflects a number of stumbling blocks regarding implementation. Rehabilitation professionals are not sufficiently equipped nor allowed the opportunity to comprehensively implement Primary Healthcare (PHC) from a bottom-up approach, thus engaging communities. Training on addressing social health determinants and their impact on ill-health and health outcomes is inadequate.

The Play Experiences of Preschool Children from a Low-socio-economic Rural Community in Worcester, South Africa.

Occupational therapists believe that play is a child's main occupation and is considered essential for healthy motor, cognitive and emotional development. However, play spaces and activities in low socio-economic areas are often different to those provided in structured occupational therapy treatment environments. The main objective was to determine play opportunities, activities, equipment, toys and the play environment for 5- to 6-year-olds living in a low-socio-economic community outside a small town in South Africa, in order to understand the nature of play in this environment better.

Playfulness and prenatal alcohol exposure: a comparative study.

Background/aim: South Africa carries a high burden of alcohol abuse. The effects of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy are most pronounced in poor, rural communities. Earlier research suggests that children with prenatal alcohol exposure have poor social behaviour; however, to date, no research has investigated their playfulness.