Assessment of Women's Knowledge About Ovarian Cysts at a Maternity Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study in Erbil, 2024–2025.

Background and Aim: In Erbil, Iraq, limited awareness about ovarian cysts among women can delay diagnosis, affect treatment decisions, and contribute to complications. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding ovarian cysts among women attending Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, at Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil. A structured questionnaire was used, which included socio-demographic characteristics and 27 items assessing knowledge related to the definition, types, symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, and prevention and treatment of ovarian cysts. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between knowledge levels and demographic variables, followed by ordinal regression analysis for adjusted associations. Results: A total of 220 women participated in the study. More than half demonstrated a fair level of knowledge, while a substantial proportion had good awareness, particularly regarding symptoms and prevention methods. A statistically significant association was found between number of children and knowledge levels, with women who had fewer or no children showing better understanding. Ordinal regression analysis further confirmed that marital status significantly influenced knowledge, with divorced women having higher knowledge levels than others. Conclusions: The study revealed that most women had fair to good knowledge about ovarian cysts, particularly in symptomatic and preventive aspects. Policymakers and healthcare providers are recommended to implement targeted educational programs to improve awareness, especially in areas related to causes, risk factors, and complications.