Pharmacist Mediated Educational Interventions to Improve Knowledge, Attitude, and Perspective of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Among Pharmacy Students

A BSTRACT Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common endocrine disorder in the young woman population. It has a hazardous effect on health-related quality of life (QoL) and the mental health of women. According to reports, the prevalence of PCOS is as high as 9.13% in adolescents in India, characterized by high levels of androgens and insulin resistance that lead to serious complications such as obesity and dyslipidemia, with an enhanced risk for cardio-metabolic disorders and reproductive malignancies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study assessing the KAP on PCOS was conducted in pharmacy students at KLE College of Pharmacy, Hubballi. The participants included 531 students from various courses in the pharmaceutical sciences, aged between 18 and 35 years. Data were obtained through a pre- and postintervention questionnaire. Results: There was a significant improvement in knowledge, attitude, and PERSPECTIVE about PCOS among participants postintervention. The mean knowledge score improved from 13.68 to 18.30 ( P < 0.001), attitude scores from 10.52 to 12.73 ( P < 0.001), and PERSPECTIVE scores from 9.97 to 12.11 ( P < 0.001). All these improvements were consistent across different educational backgrounds and both genders. For a substantial proportion of participants, there was no knowledge about the key characteristics of PCOS, showing a significant improvement postintervention. Conclusion: The study emphasizes that educational interventions are one of the most effectual means of increasing awareness and knowledge about PCOS among the students of pharmacy. Misconceptions can be addressed, and correct information can be provided to improve management and QoL in PCOS.