Knowledge and Practice towards Weight Reduction among Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

PCOS has affected 116 million women and still counting, that is about 3.4% of the entire global population, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012. It is a common and the leading cause of inability to get pregnant among women in their reproductive age. It is a complex phenomenon as it combines the environment, behavior, genetic, and physiological factors of health that are intertwined producing a phenotypic heterogeneous issue. Very few literatures have reported on practice adherence to reduce weight which are combined strategy in combating PCOS. Objective: knowledge and practice towards weight reduction among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Method: The review adopted the PRISMA strategy “the preferred reporting item for systematic reviews”. Inclusion identified (knowledge, practice, women, and PCOS) articles were selected within 5 years from 2016 to 2020. Search engines like Google Scholar, PubMed and open access were used. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the10 articles identified for qualitative synthesis. Result: There were 10 articles eligible who represented a total of 3553 participants. Evidence reports an increasing trend as majority of the articles were from the year 2020 and from the US. Half of the studies did not report the sampling techniques. 67% were willing to recommend or use alternative medicine and satisfied with relief due to exercise and diet change. Similarly, PCOS care showed less knowledge by physician awareness of the breadth of PCOS. Furthermore, treatment options revealed that 73% among PCOS women were in Bangladesh, and life style medication was practiced by 35%. More than half of the population were not aware of PCOS, had irregular periods which was a symptom of PCOS, and complications were faced by 70%. Of which, 20% were diagnosed with PCOS and more that 80% managed with health diet according to the report. Similarly, PCOS was associated with susceptibility, weight gain, poor control of health, and lower benefit of health behavior. 47% attempted government diet and there was not any change. Conclusion: Therefore knowledge gaps of PCOS need to be emphasized, especially among the physicians, to effectively manage the health issue for patients. Considerable strategy information, education, awareness and counseling are needed at all the levels. For instance, at the facility, institutional, governmental, nongovernmental, hospitals staffs and individuals regarding PCOS and policy implications, management and screening should be made mandatory.