About the Children and Epilepsy Research Alliance (CHERA)

This alliance promotes research which seeks to understand children and epilepsy including but not limited to:

• Children in schools
• Children in the community
• Children in the health system
• The epilepsy health system more broadly

Current researches

1. Teachers understanding of epilepsy and experiences with learners with epilepsy
2. Allied-health workers epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions
3. Health workers epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions

Investigators

Dr Rugare Mugumbate, University of Wollongong Australia; Epilepsy Resource Centre Zimbabwe

Dr Gift Ngwende, University of Zimbabwe, President, Zimbabwe League Against Epilepsy

Research interns

Zvikomborero Maushe, Master of Social Work student, Midlands State University. Research title: Lived experiences of persons with epilepsy

Naomi Farisai Chimedza, 3rd year social work student, Bindura University of Science Education, Research title: Caregivers’ experiences of managing children with epilepsy, in Chitungwiza

Erina Mary Nyahwema, 3rd year social work student, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Research title: Accessibility of medication and assistive devices by People With Disabilities

Brenda Mhande, 3rd year student, Social Work, Bindura University. Research project: The educational experiences of children with epilepsy. A case study of Chitungwiza (completed).

CHERA partners

Epilepsy Resource Centre Zimbabwe (ERCZ)

Epilepsy Support Foundation (ESF)

Zimbabwe League Against Epilepsy (ZLAE)