Awareness and Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) among Female Undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a significant public health problem and is one of the most common hormonal disturbances affecting women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS are at risk for infertility, endometrial cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of PCOS can be effective in diagnosing early stage of PCOS and thereby pave way for its management and promoting quality of life. This study assessed the awareness of PCOS and its management among female undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. A descriptive survey was used and population of the study comprised of N= 25,000 undergraduate female students from the 14 faculties of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The sample size for this study was n = 252 students and a multi-stage sampling approach was used. In the first stage, the researchers used the simple random sampling technique to select seven faculties from Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In the second stage, purposive sampling was employed to select students based on specific criteria determined by the researcher. In the third stage, the simple random sampling technique was used to pick 36 students from each of the seven selected faculties, resulting in a total sample size of n = 252 students. The findings revealed a high level of awareness of basic PCOS symptoms; however, participants demonstrated a significant lack of understanding regarding more complex issues, including treatment options and the long-term health effects of the condition. The result also indicated that undergraduates’ awareness of PCOS did have significant influence on their mother’s level of education since the F value of 4.79 is greater than the p-value of 0.01 F-cal, P( 4.793, P = 0.009). Based on these results, the study recommends implementing targeted educational campaigns to enhance PCOS awareness, strengthening healthcare services on campus, and developing targeting support programs for students managing PCOS. This conclusion of the study implies the critical need for improved social, behavior change, educational interventions and healthcare resources that are of public health relevance towards the empowerment of women of reproductive age or female students for effectively managing PCOS and promoting their overall reproductive health.