Knowledge, Prevalence and Practice of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among Sudanese women in Khartoum State, Sudan: The need for health education

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder and cause of infertility in women of reproductive age. Knowledge of females about health problems is considered an important factor that promotes females’ health-seeking behavior. This study aimed to evaluate females’ knowledge and attitude toward PCOS as well as to assess PCOS prevalence among the participants. Methods: A total of 240 females were included in the study between January and April 2019. A convenience sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The analysis included frequencies of discrete variables and descriptors and cross-tabulation of the variables using the Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed a low level of knowledge (scoring <9) in 41.3%, a good level (scoring between 9 and 15) in 21.3%, and also an excellent level of knowledge (scoring >15) in 37.5%. The Chi-square statistical test showed significant associations between the level of knowledge and education level, urban residence, health profession, marital status, and the prevalence of PCOS (p < 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.045, and <0.001), respectively. Logistic regression showed that the females’ knowledge about PCOS was significantly associated with urban residence and being a health professional (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The study highlighted that there was inadequate knowledge about the disease among participants and showed an urgent need to improve the knowledge about PCOS among Sudanese women.