Awareness and Perception of Thromboembolism and Thromboprophylaxis Among Hospitalized Patients in Jordan

Background And Objective: Despite the established importance of thromboprophylaxis in patients with Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), a limited number of studies have assessed the awareness of VTE and thromboprophylaxis therapy among the affected patients. The aim of the current study was to assess awareness and to explore variables associated with awareness about VTE and its thromboprophylaxis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on hospitalized patients who received thromboprophylaxis (5000 units of heparin subcutaneously (SC) q8-12h, or 30-40 mg of enoxaparin SC once daily). In addition to the sociodemographic variables, awareness and perception of VTE and its thromboprophylaxis were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to build a model of variables significantly associated with VTE awareness.

Results: A total of 225 patients participated in the study, with only 38.2% and 22.2% of the participants being aware of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) respectively. Logistic regression showed that the participants with low educational level had 3.046 value, with the odds being not aware of DVT or PE compared with participants with high educational level. Participants without a personal history of VTE had 7.374 value, with the odds being not aware of DVT or PE compared with those who had a personal history of VTE. Participants who had a negative perception of VTE had 2.582 value, with the odds being not aware of DVT or PE compared with participants who had a positive perception and those who did not have any information about DVT or PE had 13.727 value, with the odds being not aware of DVT or PE.

Conclusion: The findings reveal that there is a lack of awareness about VTE and its thromboprophylaxis among the study participants. Patients with lower educational level and those with no history of previous VTE need awareness improvement about VTE and its thromboprophylaxis. Clinical Pharmacists need to focus on providing information about VTE and improving patients' perception about VTE and its thromboprophylaxis with the aim of improving the awareness about VTE, and hence the better health outcome.