BACKGROUND
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.