Effect of educational program on the level of knowledge regarding polycystic ovarian syndrome among adolescent girls

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common health problem which increase in adolescent’s girls in addition young women during their reproductive years. It is one of the most endocrine disorders with prevalence of 5%–10% in different ethnic populations and as much as 22% of women in general population. PCOS is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder which affects one in 15 women worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of educational program on the level of knowledge regarding PCOS among adolescent girls.

Subject and methods: This study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing at Minia university using quasi experimental research design on ninety six female students. Interviewing questionnaire and knowledge assessment tool (pre/post educational program) used for data collection.

Results: After the educational program, majority (94.69%, 95.85%, 94.79%, 97.31, 95.42%) of the students' have correct knowledge regarding to diagnosis, causes, risk factors, complications and management respectively after education program. Majority (92.7%) of the students had good knowledge, average knowledge observed on the (6.25%) from student , and only (1.04%) had poor knowledge after educational program.  Mean scores of posttest were significantly higher after educational program compared to their values at pretest (p< .0001). Statistically significant difference was found between demographic characteristics such as age of the students and family history with students' knowledge at pre-test (p<0.02 and p < .05) respectively.

Conclusion and recommendations: based on the results of the present study it can be concluded that, before utilization of educational sessions, most of the students (84.4%) had poor knowledge regard polycystic ovarian syndrome. After the educational sessions there was enhancement of knowledge score on polycystic ovarian syndrome. It found that the mean scores of posttest were significantly higher after educational program compared to their values at pretest in all variable. Also the overall score posttest mean value (54.66) was higher than the overall score pretest mean value (25.5). So it can be concluded that, educational program is effective in improving the knowledge of adolescent girls. Based on the results, the current study recommended that: Application of educational program for adolescent girls in different setting should be conducted in order to increase level of knowledge regarding PCOS, Nursing curriculum should be updated to include comprehensive information about PCOS to improve the awareness of other women once in practice. Study can be replicated on a larger sample for generalizing the findings.