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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU 2022; 12(03): 267-273
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740025
Original Article

Knowledge of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Its Complications, and Management among Lebanese Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Farah Al Souheil
1   Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Bahia Chahine
1   Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Abstract

Introduction Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multi-spectrum disease where a failure to address it correctly can result in various clinical complications. This study aimed to assess the Lebanese women's knowledge and perceptions of PCOS and its management.

Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included women whose ages ranged between 18 and 45 years. Women's demographic characteristics, reproductive health, knowledge, and perception of PCOS were analyzed through an online validated questionnaire.

Results Among the 450 included women, 196 (43.6%) had good knowledge about PCOS. The majority of participants were aware that menstrual irregularity is a symptom of PCOS, 327 (72.7%), while only 231 (51.3%) women knew that PCOS may lead to infertility. Almost two-thirds of women were aware of the contribution of metformin, diet, and exercise in refining the progress of the disease. More than 60% of participants believed that PCOS patients need social support and have a low body image. Married women (p < 0.001) and those with undergraduate/ postgraduate degrees (p < 0.001) had better PCOS knowledge.

Conclusion A significant percentage of Lebanese women have inadequate knowledge of PCOS and its complications.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome - health knowledge, attitudes, practice - female - Lebanon

Authors' Contributions

F.A. collected the data. F.A. and B.C. analyzed the data and were involved in writing and reviewing the final version of the manuscript.


Ethics Approval

Ethical approval was obtained for the study.


Availability of Data and Material

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.




Publication History

Article published online:
01 December 2021

© 2021. Nitte (Deemed to be University). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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