KNOWLEDGE AND PREVALENCE OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME AMONG UNDERGRADUATE FEMALE STUDENTS IN KARACHI
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Keywords
PCOS, Prevalence, Knowledge, Awareness Awareness
Abstract
Objective: To determine the knowledge and assess the frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome among undergraduate students
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female undergraduate students in Pakistan using a survey. A structured questionnaire was administered in English language by a review of literature and expert consensus. The sampling approach was convenient, and survey was available as a hardcopy. Polycystic ovarian syndrome was diagnosed by following the Rotterdam criteria. An interview was scheduled with the students diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome to assess the risk factors associated with this condition. Study received ethical clearance from ethical review board.
Results: A total of two hundred and eight six students participated in the study with a mean age of 21.4 ± 1.7 years. The frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome in female medical students was 21% as 60 female out of 286 were diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria for polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis. Mean age of the students diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome was 21.8 ± 2.1 years. 15% of the PCOS patients had BMI >30. Family history of diabetes mellitus was positive in 67.1% of the participants. The PCOS disease knowledge score was higher for participants studying in medical college as compared to non-medical educational background (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study conclusion revealed that prevalence of signs and symptoms of PCOS are increasing but the level of knowledge about PCOS was found to be inadequate among the participants. In addition, medical students had better level of understanding about the disease as compared to students with non-medical majors this level of awareness should spread-out to other segments of the society. The disease education can be promoted by conducting awareness campaigns within academic institutions, arranging talks and distributing educational material this would raise the awareness of the disease and lowers the stigma and hesitancy associated with it.
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Leena Hameed
Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, Karachi – 74600, Pakistan
Muhammad Noman Khan
Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, Karachi – 74600, Pakistan
Ahsana Dar Farooq
Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, Karachi – 74600, Pakistan
Sheraz Muhammad Siddiqui
Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, Karachi – 74600, Pakistan