ABSTRACT
Introduction : This study aimed to identify patients at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) among all patients hospitalised; and to determine the proportion of at-risk hospital patients who received effective types of VTE prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: A multinational; observational; cross-sectional survey was carried out on 1 583 at-risk patients throughout five SSA countries. Results: The prevalence of VTE risk was 50.4 overall; 62.3 in medical and 43.8 in surgical patients. The proportion of at-risk patients receiving prophylaxis was 51.5 overall; 36.2 in medical and 64 in surgical patients. Low-molecular weight heparin was the most frequently used prophylactic method in 40.2 overall; 23.1 in medical and 49.9 in surgical patients. Discussion: This study showed a high prevalence of VTE risk among hospitalised patients and that less than half of all at-risk patients received an American College of Clinical Pharmacy-recommended method of prophylaxis. Conclusion: Recommended VTE prophylaxis is underused in SSA