Upper extremity amputees who reside in the rural areas were followed up via questionnaires about their status of rehabilitation using prostheses. The results were as follows; 1) The mean age at the time of amputation was 34.9 years. Above elbow and below elbow amputees accounted for 80% of all cases. 2) Prostheses were made by 80% and cosmetic hands were 62.5% of them. 3) Prostheses were worn by 81.3% all or part time of the day and 93.7% used their prostheses only for cosmetic purposes. 4) 60% were unemployed and 55% lost their jobs after amputation. Needs and request for employment were relatively low, but 5 cases who needed a job all wanted vocational training. |