Knowledge, perception and awareness associated with symptoms and complications of polycystic ovarian syndrome among college women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20251566Keywords:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, Lifestyle interventions, Reproductive health, College women, Knowledge, Perception, AwarenessAbstract
Background: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and awareness of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms and complications among college women’s in Chennai, India, to identify gaps in understanding and inform targeted educational interventions.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 292 female college students aged 18-25 years at Sri Ramachandra institute of higher education and research. A structured questionnaire evaluated participants' knowledge, perceptions, and awareness of PCOS symptoms, complications, and preventive measures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: While 91.43% of participants had heard of PCOS, only 54.97% correctly identified androgen excess as a key factor. Awareness of symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles 82.19% and hirsutism 66.78% was relatively high, but knowledge of long-term complications such as diabetes 35.27% and heart disease 37.67% was low. Most participants recognized the importance of lifestyle interventions, with 77.05% endorsing regular exercise and 76.36% supporting dietary modifications. Allopathic medicine was the preferred treatment 70.89%, with minimal interest in alternative therapies.
Conclusions: The study reveals significant gaps in knowledge regarding the long-term complications of PCOS among college women’s. While awareness of common symptoms is relatively high, targeted educational programs are needed to improve understanding of the syndrome's broader health implications. Healthcare professionals should play a central role in disseminating accurate information to promote early detection and effective management of PCOS.
Metrics
References
Witchel SF, Oberfield S, Rosenfield RL, Ethel C, Andrea B, Lourdes I, et al. The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome during adolescence. Horm Res Paediatr. 2015;83(6):376-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000375530
Gupta R, Misra A, Das P. Knowledge of polycystic ovarian syndrome among female college students: A cross-sectional study. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2017;10(4):250-6.
Bhattacharya SM, Jadhav AH, Acharya A. Prevalence and risk factors of polycystic ovarian syndrome in Indian college women. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013;17(1):138-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.107858
Azziz R, Carmina E, Chen Z, Andrea D, Joop SEL, Richard SL, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16057. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2016.57
Azziz R, Carmina E, Dewailly D, Evanthia DK, Héctor FEM, Walter F, et al. The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society criteria for the polycystic ovary syndrome: the complete task force report. Fertil Steril. 2009;91(2):456-88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.06.035
Moran LJ, Hutchison SK, Norman RJ, Teede HJ. Lifestyle changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(7):CD007506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007506.pub2
Escobar-Morreale HF, Carmina E, Dewailly D, Gambineri A, Kelestimur F, Moghetti P, et al. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Hum Reprod Update. 2012;18(2):146-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmr042
Latha KS, Kumar P, Reddy NS. A cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge regarding polycystic ovarian syndrome among female medical students. Eur J Mol Clin Med. 2022;9(1):1189.
Omagbemi AS, Ezinne CJ, Ofeoritse AT. Current knowledge and perceptions of women about polycystic ovarian syndrome in Nigeria. Int J Sci Healthc Res. 2020;5(3):215-9.
Malini MV, Surekha T. A study to assess the knowledge of female medical students on polycystic ovary syndrome in NRI Institute of Medical Sciences. Int J Res Med Sci. 2022;11(1):243-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20223644
Jabeen A, Yamini V, Rahman AA, Mummareddi DE, Sabitha V, Gulam SB, et al. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Prevalence, predisposing factors, and awareness among adolescent and young women of South India. Cureus. 2022;14(8):e27943. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.27943
Jakhar R, Sen ED, Dutt R. Awareness of polycystic ovarian syndrome among college going females in Gurgaon: A cross-sectional study. Ann Natl Acad Med Sci (India). 2022;58:149-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1750359
Zaitoun B, Al Kubaisi A, AlQattan N, Yahya A, Alshaima M, Huriya A, et al. Polycystic ovarian syndrome awareness among females in the UAE: a cross-sectional study. BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02318-y
Goh JE, Farrukh MJ, Keshavarzi F, Chuan SY, Zikria S, Muhammad S, et al. Assessment of prevalence, knowledge of polycystic ovary syndrome and health-related practices among women in Klang Valley: A cross-sectional survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:985588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.985588
Souheil FA, Chahine B. Knowledge of polycystic ovarian syndrome, its complications, and management among Lebanese women: A cross-sectional survey. J Health Allied Sci NU. 2022;12(3):267-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1740025
Jaber RM, Aripin A, Allias N, Sura O, Nur RK, Omar D, et al. Knowledge and attitudes towards polycystic ovary syndrome. Afr J Reprod Health. 2022;26(1):92.
Abu-Taha M, Daghash A, Daghash R, Farha R. Evaluation of women’s knowledge and perception about polycystic ovary syndrome and its management in Jordan: A survey-based study. Int J Clin Pract. 2020;74(10):e13552. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13552
Hussin SN, Kadir NH. A study on knowledge, attitude, and perception of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among young students in higher educational institutions, Perak. J Soc Sci Adv Res. 2020;1(2):160-81.
Abdelbagi ZO, Badi S, Ahmed M, Ahmed MH, Elkheir H. Knowledge, prevalence, and practice of polycystic ovary syndrome among Sudanese women in Khartoum State, Sudan: The need for health education. Sudan J Med Sci. 2022;17(2):204-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v17i2.11455
Vaithy KA, Samal R, Shanmugasamy K, Umadevi KR. Knowledge, attitude and awareness towards polycystic ovarian syndrome among women of the southeast coastal population of India. IP J Diagn Pathol Oncol. 2020;5(2):215-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jdpo.2020.041
Alessa A, Aleid D, Almutairi S, Razan AlG, Noura H, Ebrahim Al. Awareness of polycystic ovarian syndrome among Saudi females. Int J Med Sci Public Health. 2017;6(6):1013-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/ijmsph.2017.0202507022017
Davda PV, Nagarwala RM, Shyam AK, Sancheti PK. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards exercise in young females diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res. 2020;7(3):369-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijogr.2020.079