Screening for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Effect of Health Education on its Awareness among Adolescents: A Pre-Post Study

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovariansyndrome is an endocrine disorder that can affect adolescent females.
Screening and awarenessare important initial steps in PCOS management. Health education of the population
at risk is crucial to health-seeking behavior that can improve quality of life.
Aim: Screening for features of PCOS and determining the effect of health-education on PCOS awareness
among female university students.
Method: This study was of a pre-post research design. The current study involved 900 childbearing age
females, who were randomly selected from students of Zagazig University. Data were collected using a
structured questionnaire. PCOS screening was based on anthropometric measurements, as well as Rotterdam
criteria. A structured lecture on PCOS was received by all participants.
Results: The participants’ mean age was 19.01±0.7 years. Three-quarters of them had no information about
PCOS. Less than one quarter of them were sufficiently aware of PCOS pre educational while 84.0% of them
were sufficiently aware after the educational program.
Conclusion: The participants’ awareness were improved after PCOS structured educational program.
Recommendation: Early screening and inclusion of PCOS in the student’s curriculum are therefore
recommended.