Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 29;13:985588. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.985588. eCollection 2022.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and reproductive disorder affecting women of childbearing age. Its symptoms associated with androgen excess and menstrual abnormalities have great impact on the quality of life in women with PCOS. Data on the knowledge of PCOS and health-related practices among Malaysian women is scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, knowledge and health-related practices of PCOS among women in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women in Klang Valley, Malaysia using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were conveniently recruited through online platforms. Questionnaire consisted of four sections. The knowledge scores ranged from 0-20 where < 10 was classified as poor knowledge. Health-related practices scores ranged from 10-50, with score <30 was classified as poor practice. Descriptive statistics was used to report demographic characteristics. Inferential statistics was used to report the differentiation, association, and correlations of the variables.
A total of 410 respondents participated in this survey. The finding revealed that 43 (10.49%) respondents had medical diagnosis of PCOS, 11 (2.68%) were diagnosed with PCOS based on signs and symptoms, and 135 (32.93%) were suspected with PCOS. Nearly half of the respondents had poor knowledge (47.30%) and poor practice (47.60%) of PCOS. Also, 46 (11.22%) respondents reported abnormal scalp hair loss and 30 (7.32%) respondents had diabetes. Educational levels and PCOS history were significantly associated with PCOS knowledge. Respondents with healthcare related educational background demonstrated good knowledge (p<0.01). Majority of respondents (n= 328, 80%) were unable to control their diets on weekends. Married participants and aged between 40 to 45 women showed better practice of PCOS.
Nearly half of the respondents had poor knowledge and health-related practices towards PCOS. Women with suspected or diagnosed PCOS should seek immediate medical help as early diagnosis and treatment for PCOS are beneficial in improving their quality of life.
多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是一种常见的代谢和生殖障碍，影响育龄妇女。其与雄激素过多和月经异常相关的症状对 PCOS 妇女的生活质量有很大影响。马来西亚女性对 PCOS 的认识和与健康相关的实践的数据很少。本研究旨在确定马来西亚雪兰莪州 Klang Valley 女性中 PCOS 的患病率、知识和与健康相关的实践。
本研究采用问卷调查的方式对马来西亚雪兰莪州 Klang Valley 的女性进行了描述性横断面研究。参与者通过在线平台进行方便招募。问卷由四部分组成。知识得分范围为 0-20，其中<10 分为知识差。健康相关实践得分范围为 10-50，得分<30 分为实践差。采用描述性统计报告人口统计学特征。采用推断统计报告变量的差异、关联和相关性。
共有 410 名受访者参与了这项调查。结果显示，43 名（10.49%）受访者有 PCOS 的医学诊断，11 名（2.68%）根据症状和体征诊断为 PCOS，135 名（32.93%）疑似 PCOS。近一半的受访者对 PCOS 的知识（47.30%）和实践（47.60%）较差。此外，46 名（11.22%）受访者报告有异常头皮脱发，30 名（7.32%）受访者患有糖尿病。教育水平和 PCOS 病史与 PCOS 知识显著相关。具有医疗保健相关教育背景的受访者表现出良好的知识（p<0.01）。大多数受访者（n=328，80%）在周末无法控制饮食。已婚参与者和 40 至 45 岁之间的女性对 PCOS 的实践较好。
近一半的受访者对 PCOS 的知识和与健康相关的实践较差。有疑似或确诊 PCOS 的女性应立即寻求医疗帮助，因为早期诊断和治疗 PCOS 有利于提高她们的生活质量。
