Employment after paraplegia in India: a postal survey.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: This study was carried out as a postal survey. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to ascertain employment after paraplegia in India. SETTING: This study was conducted in India. METHODS: The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire. This questionnaire was mailed to the identified individuals (n=600) on the addresses obtained from the medical records section of hospitals and from various organisations. Data analysis was carried out by using descriptives. RESULTS: The return rate was 46% (276/600) and the employment rate was 41% (114/276). Among 114 subjects who were employed, 68 (59.6%) were living in centres run by armed force and 46 (40.4%) were living in specialised centres or under the region of non-governmental organisations. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who were employed were living either in centres run by armed force or in specialised centres. None of the individuals living in community was employed.