Feasibility of vocational training of stroke survivors after rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Nowadays the incidence of stroke in younger populations is rising. This led to a growing economic burden, as they face long-term disabilities, requiring ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and support. To alleviate these economic challenges, vocational training could be an important part of rehabilitation in rebuild stroke survivor’s lives by offering opportunities, dignity, and fulfillment. Aim: The aim of this study was to find out the feasibility of approaching vocational training programs for stroke survivors. Methodology: This study was conducted by following a mixed methodology study design. Mixed method including quantitative method, was done to find out the socio demographic information of the stroke survivors, and a qualitative method was applied to identify the feasibility of initiating a vocational training program for stroke survivors by considering SWOT. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 participants of this study, which involved three distinct populations. A semi structured questionnaire was used and face to face interview was conducted to collect data. Quantitative part of the study was analyzed by descriptive statical analysis & qualitative part was analyzed by content analysis. Result: The majority of the patients are male (86%) and are in the Age group of 36-41(71.4%). Most of the participants had hypertension (72%). All the patients (100%) had minimum to moderate education levels. 71.42 % of patients use shoulder brace & 14.28% use wheelchairs after several months of their stroke. All of the patient population were employed before their stroke. The majority (42.90%) of them were foreign labour and several months after their stroke only 14% of the patient are able to rejoin their job. And no association was found between stroke survivor's function independence level with co-morbidities, age, education & occupation. Content analysis revealed that participants considered computer training (73.33%), electronics (73.33%), and dressmaking & tailoring (46.66%), shop management (46.66%), and mushroom cultivation (40%) as the feasible vocational training trades for stroke survivors. Discussion: Vocational training is feasible for stroke survivors in computer training, electronics, dressmaking and tailoring, shop management, and mushroom cultivation trades. Further study should be done with large population to strengthen the findings. Keywords: Stroke, Vocational training, Rehabilitation. Word count: 10,721