Knowledge and awareness level of venous thromboembolism among the general population in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent medical condition. It is a blood clot that starts in the veins, which often affects the lower limbs. It includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), which have different clinical manifestations of the same disease. Several factors have been known to increase the risk of VTE, such as old age, obesity, cancer, hypertension, and major surgery. This study aimed to determine the awareness and knowledge of VTE risk factors, manifestations, prevention, and treatment options among the general adult population of Saudi Arabia. Objectives: The study aims to determine the level of awareness of VTE among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2024 in Saudi Arabia. Despite their medical history, Saudi adults over the age of 18 are eligible to participate in the study. The inclusion criteria are Saudi adult citizens, both male and female. The minimum target sample size of 384 was calculated using a formula based on prevalence estimation, 95% confidence level, and 5% acceptable error. Results: The study assessed the knowledge and awareness of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among 482 participants in Saudi Arabia, revealing significant gaps in understanding. The mean age was 27.5 years, with a majority being well-educated, predominantly students, and primarily from the central region. While 72.8% recognised prolonged immobility as a risk factor, awareness of major symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) was notably lacking, with only 28.2% identifying DVT symptoms. Alarmingly, about 50.2% of participants were unfamiliar with DVT, highlighting the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance public understanding of VTE risk factors and symptoms, particularly among younger populations. Statistical analysis indicated significant relationships between knowledge and variables such as age and field of study, underscoring demographics' role in awareness levels. Conclusion: Our study highlights a critical need for enhanced public awareness of venous thromboembolism in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicate significant gaps in knowledge regarding risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, which are consistent with previous research conducted in various populations.