Public Awareness Of Thrombosis
Ipsos conducted research on behalf of Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity looking at public awareness of thrombosis. The aim of the research was to find out what people associate with the word 'thrombosis', and how aware they are of the symptoms.
Ipsos conducted research on behalf of Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity looking at public awareness of thrombosis. The aim of the research was to find out what people associate with the word 'thrombosis', and how aware they are of the symptoms.
- When asked what spontaneously springs to mind when they hear the word 'thrombosis', 47% of people say 'blood clots'. One in five adults mentions 'veins/DVT'.
- When provided with a list of the symptoms of thrombosis, 60 % of adults identify 'leg pain when standing or walking', 58% recognise 'circulation problems' and just over half (54%) select 'swollen legs'.
- In a scenario where a friend or family member has 'an observable swelling of the legs, but with no obvious reason as to why; unexplained discomfort or pain in the legs, or sudden difficulty walking' (all classic symptoms of thrombosis), just under half (46%) of adults would take them to A&E. Two in five (40%) would advise the person to make an appointment with their GP.
Topline Results
- The Ipsos Social Research Institute interviewed a representative sample of 2,117 people across the UK
- Interviews in GB were carried out face-to-face, in home, using CAPI, as part of the Ipsos Omnibus
- Fieldwork was conducted between 12 and 19 April 2006
- Results are based on all respondents, unless otherwise stated
- Results are weighted to the known population profile of the UK
- An asterisk (*) denotes a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
- Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding
- Research was carried out for Lifeblood
Q1 When I say "Thrombosis" what springs to mind?
| 160 | % |
|---|---|
| Blood clots | 47 |
| Veins / deep veins / DVTs / Deep Vein Thromboses | 20 |
| Heart / Circulation problems | 16 |
| Aeroplanes / flying | 14 |
| Leg pain | 13 |
| Swollen legs | 7 |
| Illness / medical condition / disease | 4 |
| Long distance travel | 3 |
| Old age | 2 |
| Bones | 1 |
| Death | 1 |
| Lungs | 1 |
| Obesity | 1 |
| Smoking | 1 |
| Strokes | 1 |
| Pregnancy / childbirth | * |
| Hormone Replacement Therapy / The Pill | 1 |
| Other | 8 |
| Nothing | 4 |
| Don't know | 9 |
Q2 Which, if any, of these do you think is a symptom of thrombosis?
| 160 | % |
|---|---|
| Leg pain when standing or walking | 60 |
| Circulation problems | 58 |
| Swollen legs | 54 |
| Discolouration on the leg | 34 |
| Heart problems | 24 |
| Stroke | 23 |
| Chest pain | 23 |
| Shortness of breath | 17 |
| Brain haemorrhage | 13 |
| Needing to pass urine more frequently than normally | 2 |
| Other | 1 |
| None of these | 2 |
| Don't know | 9 |
Q3 If one of your close friends/family was to have the following symptoms, which, if any, of the things on this card do you think you would be most likely to do? The symptoms are: an observable swelling of the legs, but with no obvious reason as to why; unexplained discomfort or pain in the legs, or sudden difficulty walking.
| 160 | % |
|---|---|
| Take them to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department | 46 |
| Advise them to arrange an appointment with their GP | 40 |
| Dial 999 | 23 |
| Put their leg up on a stool | 22 |
| Tell them to do some mild leg exercises | 8 |
| Give them a cup of tea and comfort them | 5 |
| Other | 3 |
| It depends | 2 |
| Nothing | 1 |
| Don't know | 3 |
