Effects of Nursing Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Practices of Management of Deep Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) poses a significant risk for morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients, yet gaps in nursing knowledge and practice persist, particularly in resource-limited clinical settings, underscoring the need for effective educational strategies to improve prevention and management. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured educational intervention on nurses’ knowledge and clinical practices regarding DVT prevention and management, hypothesizing significant improvements in both domains following the intervention. Methods: In a quasi-experimental design, 50 female nurses, nursing interns, and students aged 19–30+ years from a private hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, were recruited using convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria were BSN qualification and active clinical involvement; exclusion criteria were male gender or lack of direct patient care. Participants completed validated knowledge and practice questionnaires before and after a targeted educational program. The primary outcomes were changes in DVT-related knowledge and practice scores. Ethical approval was granted by the Green International University IRB, and all procedures adhered to the Helsinki Declaration. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, applying paired t-tests and confidence intervals to assess pre- and post-intervention differences. Results: Mean knowledge scores improved from 18.18 (SD 8.27) to 60.24 (SD 2.58) and practice scores increased from 5.77 (SD 3.92) to 11.31 (SD 0.79), with both changes statistically significant (p < 0.001). The proportion of correct responses rose by 52.29%, and the percentage of nurses always applying recommended practices increased by 46.3%, indicating robust clinical translation of knowledge. Conclusion: Structured nursing education markedly enhances both knowledge and practical application of DVT management, supporting ongoing investment in targeted professional development to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes in real-world healthcare settings.