Prevalence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among Medical Students of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is considered to be one of the most common endocrinedisorders among women of reproductive age. Characterized by a triad of androgen excess,anovulation, infertility, and obesity the disease can lead to several complications like infertility,endometrial carcinoma. This study aims to find out its prevalence among female medicalundergraduates. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among female undergraduate medicalstudents in a tertiary care hospital from 1st to 7th February 2018. Ethical approval was taken fromthe Institutional Review Committee (reference number 10012018). The sample size was calculated.Systematic random sampling was done. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 wasused. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportionfor binary data. Results: Out of 381 participants, the prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome was found to be 35(9.18%) at 95% Confidence Interval (6.28-12.08). Eighty (20.99%) participants were reported to haveprolonged menses, 28 (7.34%) tended to grow dark, coarse hair, 79 (20.73%) reported being obese oroverweight, and milky discharge from nipple was present in 4 (1.049%). Conclusions: The prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome was found to be similar to other studiesconducted in similar settings. But still, it is a growing endocrinological problem in the females of thereproductive age group. Early screening is necessary to prevent lifelong complications.