To Assess the Impact of Pharmacist’s Intervention on Knowledge of Adolescent Girls Regarding PCOS in Kalaburagi City, India

Abstract

Aim: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy affecting 116 million women globally (3.4%), with one in every ten women affected in India. Despite its prevalence, PCOS remains underdiagnosed due to low awareness, especially among adolescents, leading to delayed medical intervention and increased risk of infertility. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare professionals, play a crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap through structured health education programs. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate baseline awareness regarding PCOS and assess the impact of a pharmacist-led educational intervention among adolescent girls. Study Design: A pre-post prospective educational interventional study was conducted among 862 adolescent girls (12–16 years) from 13 different high schools in Kalaburagi city. Participants underwent a pre-test, followed by a two-week pharmacist-led awareness session, and a post-test after 14 days using the same structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20.0, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Of 862 participants, 87.6% (n=755) lacked prior PCOS knowledge. Among those who were already familiar, family (54.2%) was the most common source, followed by doctors (25.2%), the internet (21.5%), and friends (13.1%). A statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) in knowledge scores was observed, with a mean increase of 51.06% post-intervention. Rural students and younger adolescents had lower baseline awareness, but showed significant improvements post-education, emphasizing the need for targeted awareness programs. Conclusion: Our study identifies a critical gap in PCOS awareness among adolescent girls. However, pharmacist-led educational interventions significantly improved their knowledge, reinforcing the essential role of pharmacists in preventive healthcare. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating structured health education programs into school curriculums, ensuring long-term awareness and enabling young individuals to make informed choices for better health and well-being.