A play-informed, caregiver-implemented, home-based intervention for HIV-positive children and their families living in low-income conditions in South Africa

Abstract

The occupational performance and participation of children and their families living in low-income conditions is compromised by various social and economic disadvantages. In the African continent, perinatal HIV infection is an additional factor impacting negatively on their occupational engagement. In light of these occupation-related challenges, occupational therapy intervention responses are called for. The below case study presents the development and implementation of a play-informed, caregiver-implemented and home-based occupational therapy intervention for caregivers of HIV-positive children. The narrative presented describes the rationale for designing the intervention, the theoretical and practical underpinnings of the intervention, as well as the lessons learnt in the process of implementing the intervention in various health care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. The case study aims to encourage generative discussions on the importance of, as well as the challenges associated with, designing and implementing occupation-based and contextually relevant interventions in Southern Africa.