Workplace-based occupational therapy for mental health in Africa: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

IntroductionAlthough mental health at work is a pressing and growing concern, mental healthcare accounts for less than 2% of global healthcare, with marked inequality across continents. Africa has the smallest proportion of mental health service providers, and the highest rate of out-of-pocket expenditure for mental health service users. Poor mental health at work results in costs to workers, employers and the economy. This review aims to collaborate with stakeholders to identify literature on workplace-based occupational therapy interventions supporting the mental health of workers in Africa.Methods and analysisWe will search Medline (PubMed), EBSCOhost (Academic Search Premier, AfricaWide Information, CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing/Academic), Scopus, Web of Science, Sabinet, Cochrane and OTSeeker for qualitative and quantitative primary research studies. Grey literature will be searched via Sabinet and ProQuest. No language or date restrictions will be applied. Title and abstract screening as well as full-text screening will be done independently by two reviewers. Data extracted will include information about the articles, characteristics of studies and interventions, and findings. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines will be used for reporting results. Three groups of stakeholders will be consulted during the review process: service users/workers, employers and service providers/occupational therapists.Ethics and disseminationThis scoping review does not require ethics approval. Findings of the review will be disseminated through stakeholder engagements, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Functioning Problems Associated with Health Conditions with Greatest Disease Burden in South Africa: A Scoping Review

“…The role of psychosocial rehabilitation is mostly assigned to an auxiliary social worker. However, other health rehabilitation disciplines play significant roles in preventing the onset of mental health problems and facilitating recovery for those experiencing mental health problems, including workplace based mental health programs [ 321 ], cognitive rehabilitation interventions, family support and social networks, and physical activity interventions to promote functional independence [ 322 ]. Additionally, improved mental health literacy among the patients and caregivers may lead to better treatment planning and health outcomes.…”

Workplace-Based Interventions for Mental Health in Africa: A Scoping Review

“…We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline for reporting on scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) [14] and the updated Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guideline for conducting scoping reviews [15] to design and report on this review. The review methods are described in detail elsewhere [4]; a summary is provided here. In accordance with the ACTIVE framework [16], we consulted with various stakeholders to inform the design of this review, including African occupational therapists with an interest in workplace mental health and a group of managers and supervisors at a large South African factory where workplace-based rehabilitation services are provided.…”

“…For concept, any research that described interventions that support mental health and was at least partly based in the workplace was included. The review protocol [4] planned to only include interventions offered by occupational therapists, but we soon realised that these were scarce. We therefore included any non-pharmaceutical intervention that met the other eligibility criteria.…”

“…These environments are harmful to health as they increase psychosocial risks [3]. In contrast, since working-age adults often spend the majority of their waking hours at work, the workplace also provides a valuable and underutilised setting for health interventions targeted at promoting and improving worker health [4].…”

“…Therefore, this scoping review aims to identify the literature about workplace-based interventions for mental health in Africa. The objectives of the review, as stated in the review protocol [4], are:…”