Ms Mlaba holds a Master of Medical Science in Public Health Degree and is a Project Officer under CIDERU’s Multinational Lung Cancer Control Programme. With a background in social sciences, her research interests have been centred around the psychosocial impact of cancer and caregiving. Her research has focused on the experiences of families and healthcare providers in cancer care. Her Masters’ research project looked at the psychosocial and economic experiences of families caring for members living with cancer in KwaZulu-Natal with peer-reviewed journal publications emanating from this project. As a PhD candidate, Ms Mlaba continues to look at the impact of cancer care with a focus on compassion fatigue and the associated effects of providing cancer care among oncology healthcare professionals. Her work also involves the quality of life tracking among cancer patients and psychosocial support for cancer patients and their families through cancer support groups.
Publications:
- Mlaba, P., Ginindza, T. & Hlongwana, K.W. (2020). “Family Caregivers’ Perspectives of the Economic Burden Imposed through Caring for Family Members With Cancer in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa”. Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development 32 (3):13 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/7099.
Mlaba, P., Ginindza, T., & Hlongwana, K. (2021). The social burden experienced by families caring for members living with cancer in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 13(1), 10 pages. doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2955.