Abstract: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting a significant percentage of women of reproductive age. This study aimed to assess the level of PCOS awareness and knowledge among urban adolescent females. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted, involving 218 participants aged 12 to 19 years. Categorical variables were presented in the form of numbers and percentages and quantitative data as the means ± SD and as median with 25th and 75th percentiles (interquartile range). The association of the variables was analyzed using the Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test. The results revealed a low level of PCOS awareness, with only 23.85% of participants demonstrating sufficient awareness. The main sources of knowledge were friends (31.19%) and social media (26.15%), while healthcare professionals played a minimal role (10.09%).
Furthermore, mean values exhibited limited awareness of PCOS features (Mean ±SD 4.38±2.4) and complications (Mean ± SD 1.56±1.26). Notably, awareness of long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease (25.69%) and diabetes (13.30%) was particularly low. Age, education level, and stream of education showed no significant correlation with awareness. (p>0.05).
In conclusion, this study highlights the critical need for improved PCOS education among adolescent females in urban settings. Implementing educational programs in school curricula, increasing healthcare professionals' involvement in patient education, and creating awareness workshops are vital steps to reaching a wider audience promoting healthier lifestyle choices enhancing PCOS awareness, and mitigating its long-term consequences.
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