Title:Awareness and Perception of Thromboembolism and Thromboprophylaxis among Hospitalized Patients in Jordan
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Anan S. Jarab*, Sayer Al-Azzam, Rawan Badaineh, Tareq L. Mukattash and Razan Bsoul
Affiliation:Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110
Keywords:Venous thromboembolism, thromboprophylaxis, awareness, perception, hospitalized patients, Jordan.
Abstract:
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.