ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS REGARDING POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT LAHORE COLLAGE WOMAN UNIVERSITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/gxwsa151Keywords:
Awareness, Educational Intervention, Female Students, Knowledge, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Reproductive Health, Undergraduate.Abstract
Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders affecting 4%–20% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is frequently diagnosed during adolescence and is associated with hormonal imbalance, menstrual irregularities, infertility, obesity, insulin resistance, and long-term risks such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and psychological distress. Limited awareness among young women often results in delayed diagnosis and management, increasing the burden of reproductive and metabolic complications.
Objective: To assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among undergraduate students at Lahore College for Women University and to evaluate the impact of educational intervention on their awareness levels.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlation study was conducted at Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan, over four months (October 2023–January 2024). A total of 171 female undergraduate students aged 17–30 years were selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected using a validated 30-item multiple-choice questionnaire adapted from a standardized PCOS awareness tool. The questionnaire assessed knowledge in domains including causes, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge scores were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential tests were used to assess differences in awareness levels.
Results: The majority of respondents (80.9%) were aged 17–20 years, and 97.1% were unmarried. At baseline, 41.8% demonstrated poor awareness, 45.4% had average awareness, and only 12.8% showed good awareness of PCOS. Post-intervention analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in awareness levels (p < 0.0001), indicating that the educational sessions effectively enhanced participants’ understanding of PCOS and its related complications.
Conclusion: The findings confirm that structured educational interventions significantly improve awareness and knowledge about PCOS among undergraduate students. Enhancing health education and integrating reproductive health awareness into academic curricula can play a vital role in early diagnosis, prevention, and management of PCOS among young women.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sumavia Shehzadi , Salma Abdul sattar , Nargis Abdul Rahman , Sana Tariq , Saba Sattar (Author)
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