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Original ArticleOpen Access
Factors Associated with Vocational Reintegration Among the Thai Lower Limb Amputees
Dajpratham P 
,
Tantiniramai S ,
Lukkapichonchut P ,
Kaewnaree S
,
Tantiniramai S ,
Lukkapichonchut P ,
Kaewnaree S Background: Vocational reintegration is an important goal in the rehabilitation process. The amputees had
to take time to adjust themselves to their new condition after lower limb amputation and that might have an
impact on their vocation. As yet, there has been no information regarding vocational reintegration among the
lower limb amputees in Thailand.
Objectives: To study the rate of vocational reintegration, factors associated with vocational reintegration
among the lower limb amputees.
Material and Method: The postal survey with the questionnaires to 1,300 amputees who received the lower
limb prostheses between 2001 and 2005 was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups
namely the employed and unemployed groups. The Chi-Square and the Independent Sample T Test were used to
compare the difference between the two groups. The multiple variables analysis by stepwise logistic regression
was used to determine the associated factors.
Results: Three hundred and nine questionnaires were completed among 321 returned questionnaires (response
rate 24.7%). Two hundred and forty seven males and 62 females with age ranging from 18-82 years old
participated. The rate of vocational reintegration was 66.7%. Demographically, the employed group had less
diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), higher educational level (p = 0.004), were younger at the time of amputation
(p < 0.001) and etiologies of amputation were blast injury from mines and congenital problems (p = 0.005).
Prosthetic use and problems: the employed group used no gait aids (p < 0.001), had satisfactory to good
wearing comfort (p = 0.005), wore prostheses longer hours per day (p < 0.001). The factors associated with
vocational reintegration were etiologies of amputation from the blast injury from mines and congenital
problems (OR 3.3), educational level from secondary school (OR 2.3), at least satisfactory to good wearing
comfort (OR 1.16), and younger at the time of amputation (OR 0.97) respectively.
Conclusion: This information can assist the rehabilitation personnel to encourage the vocational reintegration
among the Thai lower limb amputees.
Keywords: Amputation, Factors, Lower limb amputees, Thai, Vocation
to take time to adjust themselves to their new condition after lower limb amputation and that might have an
impact on their vocation. As yet, there has been no information regarding vocational reintegration among the
lower limb amputees in Thailand.
Objectives: To study the rate of vocational reintegration, factors associated with vocational reintegration
among the lower limb amputees.
Material and Method: The postal survey with the questionnaires to 1,300 amputees who received the lower
limb prostheses between 2001 and 2005 was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups
namely the employed and unemployed groups. The Chi-Square and the Independent Sample T Test were used to
compare the difference between the two groups. The multiple variables analysis by stepwise logistic regression
was used to determine the associated factors.
Results: Three hundred and nine questionnaires were completed among 321 returned questionnaires (response
rate 24.7%). Two hundred and forty seven males and 62 females with age ranging from 18-82 years old
participated. The rate of vocational reintegration was 66.7%. Demographically, the employed group had less
diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), higher educational level (p = 0.004), were younger at the time of amputation
(p < 0.001) and etiologies of amputation were blast injury from mines and congenital problems (p = 0.005).
Prosthetic use and problems: the employed group used no gait aids (p < 0.001), had satisfactory to good
wearing comfort (p = 0.005), wore prostheses longer hours per day (p < 0.001). The factors associated with
vocational reintegration were etiologies of amputation from the blast injury from mines and congenital
problems (OR 3.3), educational level from secondary school (OR 2.3), at least satisfactory to good wearing
comfort (OR 1.16), and younger at the time of amputation (OR 0.97) respectively.
Conclusion: This information can assist the rehabilitation personnel to encourage the vocational reintegration
among the Thai lower limb amputees.
Keywords: Amputation, Factors, Lower limb amputees, Thai, Vocation
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