Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome Among Women with PMOS in Jiangsu Province, China: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS; formerly polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS]) among Chinese patients and identify factors associated with health management behaviors.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 422 patients with PMOS, diagnosed using the established PCOS criteria, who were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu, China, between July 2023 and December 2024. Sociodemographic, clinical, biochemical, and KAP data were collected. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were performed.Results: Median knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 12, 144, and 15, respectively. Poor knowledge and poor practices were observed in 38.63% and 83.18% of participants, whereas 67.77% had positive attitudes. Attitude score, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, monthly income, and physical activity were independently associated with good practices. Structural equation modeling showed that knowledge positively affected attitudes, and attitudes positively affected practices; knowledge also exerted an indirect positive effect on practices through attitudes.Conclusions: Patients with PMOS showed generally positive attitudes but insufficient knowledge and practices. Targeted health education should strengthen health-related beliefs and self-efficacy to improve long-term self-management.