Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a very complex syndrome, with typical hormonal and metabolic. There is a lack of awareness regarding PCOS among adolescents, which is undetected. Lifestyle interventions (dietary, exercise, behavioural or combined) are recommended as first-line management in an international evidence-based guideline on PCOS. Aims: This study aims to assess the level of knowledge on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among college girls at Puducherry. Knowledge regarding PCOS help in early detection and management and improve quality of life. Methodology: A cross–sectional descriptive method was used for this study. A structured questionnaire was used to get quantitative data from 315 college students. The sample was selected by two–stage cluster sampling. The study was approval by nursing research monitoring committee and Institute Ethics committee, JIPMER. The data was collected with help of socio-demographic Performa and structured questionnaire for a period of 6 weeks. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study identified that majority of the college girls 257 (81.6%) had moderately adequate level of knowledge,36 (11.4%) had adequate level of knowledge and 22 (7%) had inadequate level of knowledge on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The level of knowledge regarding PCOS socio- demographic variable Father’s occupation, Residence, Waist: Hip ratio, had shown statistically significant association between knowledge on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among college girls. Conclusion: Our study found that majority of women had moderate level of knowledge regarding PCOS. Increasing awareness about this condition can help in early diagnosis and taking preventive measures to prevent long term health consequences. Father’s occupation, residence, waist: hip ratio, had shown statistically significant association between knowledge on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among college girls.

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