Exploring occupational therapy interventions in homeless settings in Tshwane

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• South Africa's national lockdown presented challenges and opportunities for addressing health issues among the homeless population.
• Initial emergency responses in Tshwane focused on basic needs and medical aid, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences, benefits, facilitators, barriers, and challenges of university-led occupational therapy interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness in Tshwane.
• The study covers the period of various coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown levels up to March 2023.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was employed.
• Data collection involved focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with homeless individuals and practitioners.
• Analysis included thematic analysis of transcripts and reflexive thematic analysis of student documents, interpreted through the Capability Approach.

Main Results:

• Positive influences on intervention outcomes included supportive environments, client-centered care, small group therapeutic activities, fostering volition, and understanding participants' real-life experiences.
• Identified challenges comprised unsupportive settings, language barriers, low motivation, and discontinuity of occupational therapy services.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy interventions are valuable in homeless settings, addressing personal, social, and environmental factors impacting functioning.
• Integrating occupational therapy's unique contributions can enhance overall health and social service delivery for this population.