Postpartum thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin: a prospective cohort study on patients’ adherence, injection experience, and information retention after counselling by pharmacists

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This research aimed to determine postpartum females’ self-reported adherence to and experience with short-term thromboprophylaxis using enoxaparin injection, after counselling by pharmacists. It also sought to assess their knowledge of thromboprophylaxis, injection techniques, and confidence in self-injecting. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted at a public tertiary hospital in Malaysia from March to June 2023. Self-injection-naïve postpartum females who were initiated on thromboprophylaxis and counselled by a pharmacist were conveniently sampled. Knowledge regarding thromboprophylaxis, injection readiness, and technique were assessed one day after the counselling session. A telephonic interview was conducted at the end of the 10-day therapy to determine adherence and adverse effects experienced. Key findings A total of 259 subjects were successfully followed up, with 87.6% (n = 227) adherent to the therapy. Nonadherence was predominantly due to forgetfulness; four had their treatment withheld due to bleeding. One-third of subjects experienced localised pain and bruising. Subjects answered a median of 5/7 knowledge questions and recalled a median of 8/10 injection steps correctly, with those who read the information leaflet provided after counselling scoring significantly higher (P = .02). The majority declared moderate confidence in their ability to self-inject. Subjects who intended to self-inject (P < .01) and were more confident (P = .02) demonstrated better injection technique. Conclusions Postpartum females counselled by pharmacists largely adhered to short-term enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis. The impact of the counselling session may be enhanced by addressing their psychological readiness to self-inject, awareness of adverse effects identification, mitigation, and management, as well as setting reminders to prevent forgetfulness to inject.