Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that is the most common among women of reproductive age; global prevalence estimates range from 2% to 26%. The low-public-awareness level, despite its prevalence, may retard early diagnosis and adequate management. Objective: To assess the knowledge and health-related practices of young women about PCOS in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted prospectively at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Muzaffarabad from August to October 2024. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 200 patients. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire that included demographic information, knowledge regarding PCOS, and health behaviors. SPSS version 25 software facilitated data analysis with descriptive and inferential statistics for assessing knowledge and health habits related to PCOS. Results: It was found that the mean knowledge score on PCOS was 9.8 (Standard deviation (SD) = 3.2), which reflects a low level of knowledge regarding the condition. The participants showed typical PCOS symptoms presentation in terms of irregular menstruation and hirsutism. Also, the study shows that info gaps can lead to late diagnosis and higher health risk. Conclusion: This study indicated a high frequency of PCOS symptoms in young women of Muzaffarabad along with significant gaps in the knowledge of the disorder. Focused educational approaches targeted at raising awareness and understanding of PCOS are needed to improve health outcomes.
Khurshid et al. (Wed,) studied this question.