The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Academic leader of Occupational Therapy (OT), Dr December Mpanza and fellow OT lecturers, Mr Luther Monareng Luther and Ms Phakeme Zinhle Mkhize were thrilled to present their doctoral research at the Occupational Therapy Africa Regional Group (OTARG) Congress held in Arusha, Tanzania.
The congress theme was: “Taking Stock: A celebration of the past, present and future practice of occupational therapy in Africa”.
Mpanza’s abstract was titled: How Can the Health System Respond to Aftercare Needs? An Integrated Model of Aftercare for People with Substance Use Disorder in Kwazulu-Natal. The study’s findings indicated that South African policies did not provide clear guidelines on aftercare. Aftercare was found to be lacking, fragmented, poorly coordinated among service providers and not well integrated into the substance use treatment system. The needs of service users demonstrated the extent and nature of aftercare required.
Mpanza said, “The extent and nature of aftercare services warranted aftercare services that are integrated into substance use disorder (SUD) treatment systems, lifelong orientated, and responsive to the needs of persons with SUDs and their families. An integrated recovery management model of care is proposed together with relapse management strategies.
Mpanza joined academia at UKZN in 2013 after working at the rural Bethesda district hospital in KwaZulu Natal. At this hospital, Mr Mpanza served as a head of OT Department, where he made a valuable contribution in development and provision of the occupational therapy services within the hospital and community setting. During this time Mpanza worked in collaboration with a number of health and disability related organisations such as Umthombo Youth Development Bursary Scheme, Khanya Africa (non-governmental organisation), Bethesda Health Care Christian Fellowship, uMkhanyakude Municipality Disability Forum, Provincial Executive Committee of HOSPERSA and Local Disability Committee.
Mkhize presented on her scoping review focused on stakeholder’s perspectives on the role of OT in acute mental health care in Africa. It was mapped and described existing research evidence on the role of occupational therapy in acute mental health care in Africa to inform relevant future research in this field in Africa. Mkhize’s study found that there was limited evidence on the role of occupational therapy in acute mental health care in Africa and its contribution in facilitating occupational performance for mental health service users.
Monareng conducted a Delphi study on subject expert consensus on components of an evidence-based framework to facilitate self-employment for persons with disabilities, noting that the global unemployment crisis highlighted a critical gap in research on self-employment, a preferred placement option for persons with disabilities.
“Consensus on the components of a framework was achieved. Participants emphasised that the prospective framework should be non-prescriptive, prioritising practicality, accessibility, implementation, and sustainability within and beyond the South African context. They proposed measures like a user’s guide to support framework operationalisation,” Monareng said.
Born and bred in Marite C (Tsakani), Bushbuckridge Mapulaneng by the mountains, Monareng obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Wits, Postgraduate Diploma in Hand Therapy from the University of Pretoria, and his Master’s also at Wits before joining UKZN. His PhD is funded by the
National Research Funds’ (NRF) Black Academics Advancement Programme and he is a University College London visiting student in the United Kingdom.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photo: Supplied.
