Initial investigation into the factors related to employment of individuals living with a spinal cord injury in a specific South African population

Abstract

Many factors have been shown to play a role in employment after a spinal cord injury. Globally the rates of employment post-injury have been disappointing with a rate of 36.8% 1. METHODS This mixed methods study was divided into two phases. During phase one qualitative data was gathered. This data was used to design a questionnaire which was emailed to members of the Quadpara Association of South Africa in phase two. Bivariate data analysis was performed and a logistic regression. RESULTS Eleven themes emerged from phase one. There was a high employment rate of 79.55% at the time of the study and 92.13% had worked for remuneration since injury. There was a statistically significant association between employment at the time of the study and six factors. CONCLUSION This study had a surprisingly high employment rate post-injury. Despite few results being statistically significant there were many that are of clinical importance.