Awareness & Knowledge of thrombotic prophylaxis among medical staff in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of physicians regarding thrombotic prophylaxis in hospitalized patients at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: For this cross-sectional study, Ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of JPMC (NO.F.2-81/2024-GENL/66/JPMC) was sought. A questionnaire assessing demographics, Guideline Recommendations, Atti-tudes and Current Practices regarding venous thromboembolism (VTE) used to collect data during October 2024 to March 2025 from 172 physicians from either gender having varied designation.
Results: Participants were knowing that the Wells' Criteria is the most commonly used risk assessment tool (58.1%) and Enoxaparin was the preferred pharmacological agent (51.2%). Only 44.8% believed half of inpatients need prophylaxis, and 49.4% reported its use in less than 25% of patients. Residents were found to be well-versed with international guidelines as compared to consultants and medical officers. 57% doctors reported lack of formal thromboprophylaxis guidelines and hospital policies.
Conclusion: There are significant deficiencies and disparities in physicians' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding VTE, emphasizing the importance of educational initiatives, as well as adherence to standard guidelines, if VTE preven-tion practice is to be optimized.

Key words: KAP, Vascular Diseases, Embolism and Thrombosis, Thromboembolism, Venous Thromboembolism, Guideline.