KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TOWARDS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS PROPHYLAXIS IN FIVE TEACHING HOSPITALS OF RAWALPINDI

Authors

  • Ahsin M Bhatti
  • Sadia Ahsin
  • Babur Salim
  • Junaid Mansoor

Abstract

Background: Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is underutilised in Pakistan. This crosssectional survey was designed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices of healthcareproviders towards DVT prophylaxis in teaching hospitals in and around Rawalpindi. Methods:Knowledge, attitude and practices was assessed by a 12-item questionnaire filled-in by healthcareproviders in five teaching hospitals. Eleven out of 12 questions were multiple-choice type and onewas open ended. Results: One hundred-sixty-nine, out of 200 questionnaires were returned andwere analysed. Total 43.2% of the respondents were house-officers. Although 98.8% agreed thatDVT prophylaxis is clinically important, but 39.4% actually prescribed it themselves. Out ofthese, only 10.3% respondents did it routinely. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was thepreferred prophylaxis used (36.7%). Most of the respondents underestimated the prevalence andconsequences of DVT in hospitalised patients. Conclusion: Knowledge and practices ofhealthcare providers about DVT prophylaxis in hospitalised patients is less than ideal. Hospitalsneed to develop their own guidelines for DVT prophylaxis.Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, DVT Prophylaxis, Pakistan

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Published

2012-06-01