Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the current status of knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding the prevention of lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (LDVT) in patients who underwent hip and knee replacement surgery and analyze the influencing factors to improve the behavioral management of LDVT after surgery. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Convenience sampling was used to select 350 patients who underwent hip and knee replacement surgery and were hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province between November 2024 and April 2025. The survey was conducted using a self-made general information questionnaire and an LDVT knowledge and behavior survey scale. Through univariate and multiple linear regression analyses, the influencing factors of knowledge, attitude, and behavior levels of LDVT were identified. RESULTS: A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed, of which 312 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 89.14%. The total score of the knowledge, attitude, and behavior survey scale of patients with LDVT was 62.53 ± 10.00 points, and the scores for the knowledge, attitude, and behavior dimensions were 10.38 ± 4.88, 43.93 ± 6.70, and 8.21 ± 1.00 points, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in knowledge scores among patients with different ages, occupations, educational levels, places of residence, caregivers and surgical modality (F-values: 3.295, 4.994, 2.959, 4.001, 4.690, and 1.759, respectively; P < 0.05). The difference in patient belief scores among the caregivers was statistically significant (F = 5.353; P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in behavior scores among patients of various ages, educational levels, and caregivers (F-values: 2.554, 2.563, and 3.431, respectively; P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, occupation, place of residence and caregiver were the influencing factors on the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of patients with LDVT who underwent hip and knee replacement surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The overall level of LDVT knowledge, beliefs, and actions in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery was moderate, with a total score rate of 65.14%. Their behaviors showed high compliance and a positive attitude, but their knowledge levels were insufficient. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-025-09204-8.