Evaluation of pharmacological prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis in hospitalized patients with risk factors at the university teaching hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Deep venous thrombosis is a common clinical problem accounting for high rates of morbidity and mortality. The existence of risk factors, which include trauma, venous stasis, and hypercoagulability, is linked to the occurrence of the condition. Objective of current study was to evaluate DVT risk factors and prophylaxis pattern of use for patients who were admitted at the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using medical files for patients who were hospitalized at the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia from May 2020 to June 2021. Two hundred and ninety-six patient files were reviewed, and the Caprini risk assessment model was used to stratify patients into DVT risk categories. Multilinear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DVT prophylaxis.Results: Of the 296 patient files that were sampled from ICU, medical, and surgical wards, 198 (66.9%) (>2 caprini score) were eligible for DVT prophylaxis, but only 77 (38.9%) of these eligible patients received prophylaxis. The number of eligible patients for DVT prophylaxis per department was as follows; ICU 50 (100%), Medical 71 (57.7%) and Surgery 77 (62.6%) wards. However, DVT prophylaxis was given to 21 (42%), 33 (46.5%), and 23 (29.9%) patients from the ICU, medical, and surgery, respectively. Enoxaparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant for Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis with a mean dose of 60mg (SD±5). Across all departments, the most common predisposing risk factors for DVT were bed confinement for >72 hours (167, 56.4%) and age of 41-60 years (118, 39.8%). In the adjusted model, swollen legs (AOR: 3.6, CI: 1.97, 6.57) and history of VTE (AOR: 21.3, CI: 9.87, 46.08) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of DVT prophylaxis.Conclusions: Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis is underutilized in patients in ICU, medical and surgical wards at the university teaching hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. This study underscores the importance of implementing a DVT risk assessment technique for patients in ICU, medical and surgical wards and administering prophylaxis unless contraindicated.