Awareness of Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Among Reproductive-Aged Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with menstrual irregularities, infertility, obesity, insulin resistance, and long-term metabolic complications. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of PCOS among reproductive-aged women attending a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Methods and materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of US-Bangla Medical College and Hospital, Rupganj, Narayanganj, Bangladesh, from January 2025 to December 2025. The study included 120 reproductive-aged women (18-45 years) attending the outpatient department. Awareness was categorized based on Bloom's modified cut-off criteria. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Result: The study included 120 reproductive-aged women with a mean age of 26.4 ± 5.8 years. Only 35.0% had previously heard of PMOS/PCOS, with social media/internet being the most common source of information (59.8%). Knowledge was highest regarding infertility and the benefits of weight reduction (54.2% each), while awareness of cardiovascular complications was the lowest (16.7%). Overall, 46.7% of participants had poor awareness, 36.7% had moderate awareness, and only 16.6% had good awareness, with a mean knowledge score of 10.2 ± 3.6. Conclusion: The present study concludes that awareness of PMOS/PCOS among reproductive-aged women attending a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh was generally inadequate, with nearly half of the participants demonstrating poor knowledge, particularly regarding its metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Higher educational attainment and urban residence were significantly associated with better awareness.