OC 72.1 - KNOWLEDGE OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AMONG NIGERIA PREGNANT WOMEN: A PRELIMINARY SURVEY FOR THE ‘MOVE FOR FLOW’ PROGRAM

Background: Pregnancy is a major risk factor of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) which results in high maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Awareness creation is one of the preventable strategies of VTE. To this effect, we designed the ‘Move for Flow’ program aimed at maternal health education on VTE, its symptoms and preventive strategies. For best implementation of this program, the current knowledge level of the population is of great interest to direct the the program design, scope, content and implementation.

Aims: To assess the knowledge and awareness levels of VTE among pregnant Nigerian women

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey of 1000 pregnant women attending antenatal services at 5 government hospitals in Enugu metropolis, south east Nigeria. Respondents completed an investigator designed, structured, pre-validated and -tested questionnaire which assessed their knowledge levels of VTE, its risk factors and prevention strategies. Their knowledge levels were categorized as no, poor, average and good knowledge by numerically grading their responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive and relevant inferential statistics at an alpha value of 0.05.

Results: Majority of the respondents had absolutely no knowledge of pregnancy related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (80.8%) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (88.9). The predictors of DVT knowledge levels are husbands’ level of education ( at most secondary education) ( AOR = 4.2; 95%CI =2.554-6.816; p = <0.001) and maternal age (AOR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.930-0.999; p =0.044) while . The predictors of PE knowledge level include husbands’ level of education (at most secondary education) (AOR = 2.1; 95%CI = 1.005-4.436; p = 0.048)and maternal occupation (professionals) (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.219-0.794; p = 0.008)

Conclusion(s): There is low awareness of pregnancy-related VTE among Nigerian pregnant women in Enugu metropolis. Immediate designing and implementation of the ‘Move for Flow’ program is recommended to improve maternal knowledge levels of VTE.