Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD), also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. PCOD can lead to a range of health complications, including infertility, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Early diagnosis and management are crucial in mitigating these health risks and improving the quality of life for affected women. However, awareness and knowledge about PCOD vary significantly, influencing the timely identification and treatment of this condition.^1-6

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, provides a unique context for exploring the awareness and knowledge of PCOD among its residents. The district’s diverse population, encompassing both urban and rural areas, offers a comprehensive perspective on community health literacy and access to healthcare services. Given the rising prevalence of PCOD and its impact on women's health, it is essential to assess how well the public in Shimla understands this condition and its implications.

The primary objective of this study was to gauge awareness and knowledge about PCOD among the general public in District Shimla. By identifying gaps in knowledge and prevalent misconceptions, this research aimed to inform and guide public health initiatives and educational programs tailored to the needs of this community. Understanding the community’s perception of PCOD is vital for developing targeted interventions that can promote early diagnosis, effective management, and overall women's health.

In light of the increasing prevalence of PCOD and its significant health impacts, this study was both timely and essential. It sought to provide valuable insights into the current state of PCOD awareness among Shimla’s residents, thereby informing future health policies and community-based programs. The findings from this research were intended to support efforts in creating a more informed and proactive community capable of recognizing the symptoms of PCOD and seeking appropriate medical care.

Through this research, we aimed to contribute to the broader effort of improving women's health through enhanced awareness and education about PCOD. By highlighting the importance of understanding PCOD and identifying key areas for intervention, this study aspired to enhance health outcomes and the quality of life for women in Shimla. The insights gained would serve as a foundation for sustainable health promotion strategies tailored to the unique needs and cultural context of this region.

The primary objective is to gauge awareness and knowledge about PCOD among general public of District Shimla ,Himachal Pradesh.

• Research Approach -Descriptive

• Research Design- Cross-sectional survey design

• Study area: District Shimla , Himachal Pradesh

• Study duration- between January  2024 to May 2024

• Study population: The study's target population encompassed all adults aged 18 and above who had been residents of District Shimla Himachal Pradesh for a minimum of 12 months

• Sample size- A robust sample size of 400 adults was determined using a 95% confidence level, an estimated knowledge level of 50% regarding PCOD, a precise 5% absolute error margin, and a conservative 5% non-response rate. 

• Study tool: A google form questionnaire consisting of questions regarding socio-demography and knowledge regarding PCOD was created. The questionnaire was initially pre-tested on a small number of participants to identify any difficulty in understanding by the respondents. 

• Description of Tool- 

1. Demographic data survey instrument: The demographic form elicited information on participants’ background: age, marital status, religion, employment, education and many more.

2. Questionnaire: The questionnaire contains 20 structured knowledge related questions regarding PCOD. One mark was given for each correct answer and zero for incorrect answer. The maximum score was 20 and minimum score was zero. Scoring was done on the basis of marks as >80%(16-20)=very good,60-79%(12-15) =Good,41-59% ( 8-11)=Fair,<40% (< 8)=poor

• Validity of tool - by the experts in this field

• Data collection- Data was collected under the guidance of supervisors. The google form questionnaire was circulated among the residents of District Shimla Himachal Pradesh for responses using online modes like e-mail and social media platforms like Whatsapp groups, Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin till the 400 responses were collected. 

• Data analysis- Data was collected and entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet, cleaned for errors and analyzed with Epi Info V7 Software with appropriate statistical test in terms of frequencies and percentage. 

• Ethical Considerations- Participants confidentiality and anonymity was maintained.

The study conducted in District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge regarding Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD) among the general public. Data was collected from a sample of 400 adults using a structured questionnaire, and the results are summarized in three tables: Socio-Demographic Variables, Knowledge Regarding PCOD, and Overall Knowledge Score Categories.

Table 1 provides an overview of the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. The age distribution reveals that 30% of participants were aged 18-30 years, 24.8% were 31-40 years, 23% were 41-50 years, and 22.3% were over 50 years old. Gender distribution shows that 45% were male and 55% were female respondents. Regarding marital status, 40% of the participants were single, 55% were married, and 5% fell into other categories.

Religious affiliation was predominantly Hindu (85.3%), followed by Muslims (4.8%), Sikhs (7.5%), and others (2.5%). Employment status indicated that 44.5% of participants were employed, 25.8% were unemployed, and 29.8% were students. Educational attainment varied, with 20.3% having education below high school, 30.5% completing high school, 34.5% being graduates, and 14.8% having postgraduate or higher qualifications.

Table 1: Socio-Demographic Variables of the Study Population (N=400)

Table 2 highlights the participants' knowledge about PCOD. A substantial 79.5% of respondents were knowledgeable about PCOD symptoms, while 72.5% were aware of risk factors associated with PCOD. Understanding the importance of regular health check-ups was noted in 76.3% of participants, and 70% had knowledge about lifestyle changes to manage PCOD.

Awareness of the impact of PCOD on fertility was present in 68.8%, and 63% understood the role of diet in managing PCOD. Knowledge of hormonal treatment options was reported by 66.3%, while 72.3% were aware of the link between PCOD and diabetes. Understanding the significance of physical activity in managing PCOD was known by 70.5%, and 67.5% had knowledge about common misconceptions regarding PCOD.

Stress management in the context of PCOD was understood by 65% of participants, and 69.3% recognized the importance of early diagnosis. Knowledge of medication adherence was reported by 64.5%, while 62% were aware of genetic factors related to PCOD. The impact of weight management was known by 68%, and 65.8% understood the importance of regular follow-up.

Awareness of possible complications due to PCOD was present in 63.8%, while 60% were knowledgeable about PCOD's impact on mental health. The importance of patient education was recognized by 67.5%, and 71.3% were aware of community resources available for PCOD.

Table 2: Knowledge Regarding PCOD (N=400)

Table 3 categorizes the overall knowledge scores of the participants. Based on their scores, 26% of participants fell into the "Very Good" category (16-20 points), demonstrating a high level of knowledge. The majority, 36.5%, were classified as having "Good" knowledge (12-15 points). Those with "Fair" knowledge (8-11 points) comprised 24.3% of the respondents, while 13.3% had "Poor" knowledge, scoring below 8 points.

Table 3: Overall Knowledge Score Categories

These results indicate that while a significant portion of the population in Shimla has a good understanding of PCOD, there are still areas with notable knowledge gaps. Addressing these gaps through targeted educational programs and public health initiatives could enhance awareness and management of PCOD, ultimately improving health outcomes in the region

The present study aimed to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD) among the general public in District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of public understanding regarding this common endocrine disorder and highlight critical areas for improvement in community health education and intervention strategies.

The study revealed that a considerable portion of the population in Shimla possesses a good understanding of PCOD, with 26% of participants exhibiting a very high level of knowledge and 36.5% demonstrating good knowledge. This is encouraging as it indicates that more than half of the respondents are well-informed about PCOD, which is essential for early diagnosis and effective management. However, the fact that 24.3% of participants had fair knowledge and 13.3% had poor knowledge underscores the need for enhanced educational efforts to bridge these gaps.

Analysis of socio-demographic variables showed a diverse participant profile, which included a balanced age distribution and a slightly higher percentage of female respondents (55%) compared to males (45%). The predominance of Hindu participants (85.3%) reflects the religious demographics of Shimla. Employment status and educational attainment varied significantly, with 44.5% employed and 34.5% holding graduate degrees. These variations suggest that targeted educational interventions need to consider the specific socio-economic and educational backgrounds of different community segments to be more effective.

The study found that 79.5% of respondents were knowledgeable about PCOD symptoms, and 72.5% were aware of its risk factors. This high level of awareness is crucial as it facilitates early symptom recognition and timely medical consultation. However, awareness does not always translate into action, indicating a need for campaigns that not only educate but also encourage proactive health-seeking behaviors.^7,8

Awareness of lifestyle changes, the impact of diet, and physical activity in managing PCOD was relatively high, with percentages ranging from 63% to 70.5%. Knowledge of hormonal treatment options and the importance of regular health check-ups was also well recognized (66.3% and 76.3%, respectively). This suggests that while the basic concepts of PCOD management are understood, there might be a need for more detailed education on the practical aspects of implementing these lifestyle changes and treatment plans.^9,10

Notable gaps were observed in areas such as the genetic factors related to PCOD (62%) and its impact on mental health (60%). The lower awareness in these areas highlights the necessity of comprehensive educational programs that cover all facets of PCOD, including its genetic predispositions and the psychological burden it can impose on affected individuals.^8.9

The understanding of the importance of early diagnosis (69.3%) and regular follow-up (65.8%) was moderately high among participants. This is critical for the effective long-term management of PCOD and prevention of associated complications. Public health initiatives should, therefore, emphasize the significance of continuous medical supervision and adherence to prescribed treatments.^10,11

The study also identified that a significant portion of the population is aware of common misconceptions about PCOD (67.5%) and the availability of community resources (71.3%). Dispelling myths and providing information about support systems can play a significant role in improving the quality of life for women with PCOD by encouraging them to seek help and adhere to treatment protocols.^11,12

Implications for Public Health Initiatives

The findings suggest several actionable strategies for public health initiatives in Shimla:

1. Targeted Education Programs: Tailoring educational campaigns to address specific knowledge gaps, particularly in understanding genetic factors, mental health impacts, and the practical application of lifestyle changes.

2. Community Engagement: Utilizing community resources and support networks to spread awareness and provide assistance to women with PCOD.

3. Continuous Monitoring and Follow-up: Encouraging regular health check-ups and ongoing management through structured follow-up programs.

This study underscores the importance of improving awareness and knowledge about PCOD among the residents of Shimla. While a significant portion of the population has a good understanding of the condition, targeted educational efforts are necessary to address the existing gaps and misconceptions. By fostering a more informed and proactive community, public health initiatives can enhance early diagnosis, effective management, and overall health outcomes for women affected by PCOD. The insights gained from this research provide a foundation for developing sustainable health promotion strategies tailored to the unique needs and cultural context of Shimla, ultimately contributing to better women's health and quality of life in the region.

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9. Jaswal R, Tripathi S, Singh D, Gupta NL, Chauhan HS, Kaur S, Sharma S, Bhattacharya S. Patients’ perception about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in Sub-Himalayan region of India-A facility-based cross-sectional study. J Family Med Prim Care. 2023 Sep;12(9):1837-42.

10. Sharma P, Ramandeep R, Thakur U. Reproductive Health Enlightenment: A Comprehensive Analysis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness among Women in District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. IAR J Anaesthesiol Crit Care. 2023 Sep;4(5):23-7.

11. Chauhan DI, Chauhan DS, Dogra DP. Shattering the Silence: Investigating polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) Awareness among Women at Civil Hospital Theog, Himachal Pradesh. Himalayan J Econ Bus Manage. 2023;4(4):32-6.

12. Bhardwaj S, Thakur N, Jaswal P. Unveiling the Silent Struggle: A Comprehensive Assessment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness among Women in the Reproductive Age Group in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. IAR J Anaesthesiol Crit Care. 2023 Nov;3(6):11-5.