Introduction: In the South African public health system, children with cancer are admitted to specialised oncology units for the duration of their treatment. These units therefore become the children's temporary living environment for varying periods of time, which may disrupt their participation in daily activities and consequently their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the HRQoL of children admitted with cancer from both their own and their parents' perspective. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng with a specialist oncology unit. Structured interviews were conducted with the children aged 8-12 years using the PedsQL TM Generic Core Scale (4.0) and Cancer Module (3.0). The parent's perspective was explored using the Parents proxy forms of both instruments. Results: Twenty-five children and their parents participated in the study. Most children in the sample were males with Leukaemia. All children and parents reported the children's functioning at an intermediate level which suggests that these children may be at risk for HRQoL deficits. Children's HRQoL was impacted by psychosocial functioning and change in schooling on the PedsQL TM Generic Core Scale (4.0), while parents felt physical functioning played a greater role in determining the child's HRQoL. On the PedsQL TM Cancer Module (3.0) both the children and parents felt that 'procedural anxiety' had an effect, although from the parents' perspective, 'worry' accounted for the greatest deficits in their children's HRQoL. Conclusion:This study indicates that occupational disruption is experienced by children during the long-term treatment of cancer. It is suggested that occupational therapists use available instruments to monitor and provide support for the effect of an impaired HRQoL.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes a chronic condition that impacts the immune system resulting in infections and lifelong dependence on medication for survival. The growth and health as well as the economic and food security, psychosocial care, education and family composition of children with the virus are also affected 1. The estimated number of children living with HIV globally in 2018 was 2.1 million 2 and at the time, it was estimated that 260 000 of these children (aged 0 to 14) were living in South Africa, with only 58% on treatment 2. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNIAIDS) new infections in South African children declined from 25,000 in 2010 to 13,000 in 2017 2. This could largely be due to the increase in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) which reduced vertical HIV infections at birth from 3.6% in 2011 to 1.3% in 2017 3. The National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs 2017-2022, aims to renew the focus on children with HIV and their families to reduce this rate even further 2. Although not yet optimal, the increase in the number of children in South Africa receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is due to the revision of the ART guidelines in 2013 and 2015 by the South African National Department of Health 4. These revised guidelines specified that for children between the ages of 5-10 years, ART should commence either when symptomatic or when CD4 < 500 cells/μl

Clinical education is essential to the development of clinical and professional competencies in occupational therapy Focus groups were used to collect the data. The purpose of the focus groups was for the participants to discuss and reflect on their experiences and to identify the factors that framed those experiences and perceptions. The three groups of eight participants from each of the following: the final year students (n=32), the on-site clinical educators who had supervised final year students (n=43) and from the university clinical educators (n=12), were invited to participate.Data from the focus groups were analysed within and across the focus groups using open and then axial coding. Three themes emerged.

Introduction This study explored the impact of HIV on the functional recovery of personal activities of daily living of stroke survivors. This assisted in identifying possible implications for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors who are also HIV-positive. Method A quantitative, descriptive, longitudinal comparative research design was used to determine the change in personal activities of daily living scores of HIV-negative and HIV-positive stroke survivors from admission to 1 month after discharge. Data were collected at a rehabilitation unit using the South African Database Functional Measure. Results There was no difference in the rate and nature of functional recovery of personal activities of daily living between the two groups between admission and discharge. A difference was noticed during the period from admission to 1 month after discharge, during which the HIV-negative group continued to show improvement, while the HIV-positive group showed little improvement or a decline in personal activities of daily living scores. Conclusions While the rate and nature of functional recovery related to personal activities of daily living for HIV-positive and HIV-negative stroke survivors is similar during inpatient care, discharge planning for the HIV-positive group needs to consider the decline in personal activities of daily living functioning post discharge. Regular follow-ups and the inclusion of the stroke survivors in an outpatient treatment programme is recommended.

No abstract

No abstract

Key words: stroke; upper limb motor recovery; personal management Zukiswa Msengana, BSc OT (UWC); MSc OT (Wits) http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7302-8088 Senior Occupational Therapist, Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg Postgraduate student. Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Patricia De Witt, Nat. Dip. OT (Pretoria); MSc OT (Wits); PhD (Wits) http://orcid.org/Antonette Owen, BOT (UP), MSc OT (Wits) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4573-4185Introduction: This study described the outcomes for upper limb motor function after stroke and personal management of patients attending occupational therapy at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng, up to two months' post-discharge.Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive correlation design used assessments of upper limb motor function and independence in personal management to collect the data. Forty-five participants received routine rehabilitation including occupational therapy at the hospital. The same measurements were administered on discharge and during out-patient follow up at one and two months.Results: Results indicated that of 45 participants only 33 were available for reassessment at discharge. These participants had significant improvement in upper limb motor function and personal management. At discharge 48% of participants had >80% recovery of upper limb function and 59% had achieved independence or modified independence in personal management. The correlation between upper limb function and 73% personal management at discharge was strong, indicating an association between return of upper limb function and independence in personal management. By two months post discharge the correlation between the variables was low, as while only 20% of the 15 participants who returned for therapy at month 2 were dependent for personal management and over 50% presented with no or poor upper limb function.Discussion and Conclusion: Rehabilitation including occupational therapy intervention contributed to participant's improved performance in personal management tasks, even when upper limb motor function recovery was suboptimal. The intervention for personal management and compensatory techniques taught to participants resulted in independent or modified independence two months after discharge.

Occupational therapists and other professionals in South Africa are faced with the task of assessing and providing intervention for children from a range of cultural and language groups. The possibility of cultural variation in different cultural groups can produce confounding and inaccurate results and biased conclusions when the test is used with different groups and the results are interpreted using the norms and criteria provided by the authors. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of the Motor-Free Visual Perceptual Test 3rd Edition (MPVT-3) when instructions were translated into Afrikaans. A descriptive split-half comparative research design was used to determine the internal consistency of the items on the MVPT-3 after the instructions had been translated into Afrikaans. 80 learners between the ages of 8 years 0 months and 8 years 11 months were selected from nine schools to participate and the translated MVPT-3 was administered once during school time. Data was analysed using Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability statistics. Results indicated that although overall reliability was adequate, the split-half reliability revealed that the reliability scores were not adequate for half of the test, with the second half of the test showing poor reliability. There were also significant differences between boys' and girls' performance on the test, with reliability scores for boys being well below the accepted level. Thus the reliability of the MVPT-3 both within the South African population as well as when translated is questionable and the test should be interpreted with caution. Key words: MVPT-3, psychometrics, translation