title: A cross-sectional evaluation of venous thromboembolism risk and use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized patients in Senegal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Venous thromboembolism is a common and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. There is a lack of data on the distribution of risk factors and prophylaxis practices in sub-Saharan Africa.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of venous thromboembolism risk in hospitalized patients and to determine the proportion of at-risk patients who receive prophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based survey. On the basis of the global ENDORSE methodology, patients aged≥40 years admitted to a medical ward or those aged≥18 years admitted to a surgical ward were assessed for risk of venous thromboembolism by hospital chart review. Distribution of risk factors and coverage of prophylaxis in at-risk patients were determined using the 2004 American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based consensus guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From October to November 2008, 520 patients (278 medical; 242 surgical) were enrolled in 12 hospitals across Senegal. Two hundred and ninety-eight (57%) were at risk of venous thromboembolism; 152 (57.4%) medical patients and 146 (60.3%) surgical patients. Among those at risk, 48 (31.6%) medical patients and 52 (35.6%) surgical patients received a prescription for prophylaxis. Among patients without contraindication to anticoagulants, 33.8% (46/136) on medical wards and 37.5% (48/128) on surgical wards received prophylaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of venous thromboembolism was frequent in hospitalized patients in Senegal but only a few received the recommended prophylaxis. There is a need to implement a programme to improve venous thromboembolism awareness and prophylaxis.
authors: Service de cardiologie, CHU Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal. cardiodantec@orange.sn
authors: Serigne Abdou
authors: SA
authors: Bâ
authors: Seydou B
authors: SB
authors: Badiane
authors: Said N
authors: SN
authors: Diop
authors: Fatou S
authors: FS
authors: Diouf
authors: Diadié
authors: D
authors: Fall
authors: Mamadou M
authors: MM
authors: Ka
authors: Abdoul
authors: A
authors: Kane
authors: Mouhamadou
authors: M
authors: Ndiaye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents