Knowledge, attitude and practices of healthcare providers towards deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in five teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi.

Background: Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is underutilised in Pakistan. This cross-sectional survey was designed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices of healthcare providers 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 healthcare providers in five teaching hospitals. Eleven out of 12 questions were multiple-choice type and one was open ended.

Results: One hundred-sixty-nine, out of 200 questionnaires were returned and were analysed. Total 43.2% of the respondents were house-officers. Although 98.8% agreed that DVT prophylaxis is clinically important, but 39.4% actually prescribed it themselves. Out of these, only 10.3% respondents did it routinely. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was the preferred prophylaxis used (36.7%). Most of the respondents underestimated the prevalence and consequences of DVT in hospitalised patients.

Conclusion: Knowledge and practices of healthcare providers about DVT prophylaxis in hospitalised patients is less than ideal. Hospitals need to develop their own guidelines for DVT prophylaxis.