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Effect of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Education on Recognition of PCOS Symptoms among Female University Students in Nigeria

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal and metabolic condition that may affect women of reproductive age and is often associated with irregular or absent menstrual periods, excessive androgen-related symptoms such as acne and unwanted hair growth, weight changes, and difficulties with ovulation and fertility. Female university students may experience symptoms associated with PCOS without recognizing them as potential signs of an underlying health condition. Limited awareness, misconceptions about menstrual irregularities, normalization of symptoms, stigma, misinformation, and inadequate access to appropriate reproductive healthcare may contribute to delayed recognition and assessment. PCOS education provides an opportunity to improve students' understanding of the condition and their ability to recognize symptoms that may warrant professional evaluation. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of PCOS education on recognition of PCOS symptoms among female university students in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Health Belief Model, Health Literacy Framework, and Social Cognitive Theory. The Health Belief Model explains how students' perceptions of susceptibility to PCOS, perceived severity of symptoms, perceived benefits of early recognition, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action may influence symptom recognition and healthcare-seeking decisions. The Health Literacy Framework emphasizes students' ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply reliable information about PCOS and reproductive health. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, reinforcement, social support, peer influence, and environmental factors in shaping students' health knowledge and behaviours. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how PCOS education may influence recognition of PCOS symptoms among female university students in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise female undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 years and above enrolled in selected public and private universities across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select geopolitical zones, states, universities, faculties or departments, levels of study, and eligible students. PCOS education will be assessed using indicators such as exposure to educational sessions, frequency and duration of education, information on PCOS, menstrual irregularities, ovulation-related symptoms, acne, excessive facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, weight-related changes, metabolic health, fertility-related concerns, possible risk factors, misconceptions about PCOS, available diagnostic services, treatment and management options, appropriate healthcare providers, and reliable sources of reproductive-health information. Recognition of PCOS symptoms will be assessed using indicators such as students' ability to identify irregular or absent menstrual periods, signs of excess androgen activity, persistent acne, excessive facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, unexplained weight-related changes, fertility-related concerns, and symptom patterns that may warrant professional assessment. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, standardized PCOS knowledge and symptom-recognition assessment tools, scenario-based questions, and pre-test and post-test assessments where a quasi-experimental intervention is adopted. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize students' demographic and academic characteristics, menstrual and reproductive health history, previous exposure to PCOS information, sources of information, and symptom-recognition patterns. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, paired and independent t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of PCOS education on recognition of PCOS symptoms. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, symptom-recognition scores before and after the educational intervention may be compared with those of a comparison group to determine changes associated with the intervention. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that PCOS education has a significant positive effect on recognition of PCOS symptoms among female university students in Nigeria. Students exposed to structured, evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and sustained PCOS education are expected to demonstrate greater ability to recognize possible symptoms than students without comparable education. Education may improve students' understanding of menstrual irregularities, signs of androgen excess, acne, excessive hair growth, scalp hair thinning, weight-related changes, ovulation problems, and fertility-related concerns. It may also help students distinguish persistent or unusual symptoms from normal menstrual variation and encourage appropriate consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. Scenario-based education may strengthen students' ability to identify combinations of symptoms that warrant further assessment rather than relying on self-diagnosis. Education may also reduce stigma and misinformation surrounding menstrual and reproductive health conditions. However, cultural beliefs, menstrual stigma, misinformation from social media, financial barriers, limited access to gynaecological services, shortage of trained healthcare professionals, and normalization of menstrual irregularities may reduce the effectiveness of education alone. The study therefore expects accessible, practical, culturally appropriate, and sustained PCOS education, supported by appropriate reproductive-health and referral services, to contribute significantly to improved recognition of PCOS symptoms among female university students in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on PCOS education, PCOS symptom recognition, polycystic ovary syndrome, women's reproductive health, menstrual health, hormonal health, reproductive-health education, health literacy, healthcare-seeking behaviour, university student health, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Education, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, universities, university health centres, gynaecology and reproductive-health services, healthcare professionals, women's health organizations, student organizations, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for improving awareness and early recognition of PCOS. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating PCOS education into university health programmes, strengthening menstrual and reproductive-health counselling, improving access to appropriate assessment and referral services, addressing misinformation and stigma, increasing awareness of PCOS symptoms, and developing sustainable interventions that promote timely recognition and healthcare-seeking among female university students across Nigeria.

Keywords: PCOS education, PCOS symptom recognition, polycystic ovary syndrome, female university students, reproductive health, menstrual health, hormonal health, health education, health literacy, healthcare-seeking, women's health, Nigeria, public health.