Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among college students in kashmir (J&K) india: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder and a major cause of infertility among reproductive-age women. Despite its high prevalence, awareness and early diagnosis remain inadequate, particularly among young women, and epidemiological data on college-aged women in the Indian subcontinent, including Kashmir, are limited. AIM: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported and symptom-screened PCOS and evaluate awareness among female university students in the Kashmir division. By identifying symptom patterns and knowledge gaps, it provides evidence to support early detection and targeted educational interventions. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2024 among female students from randomly selected colleges in the Kashmir region. A total of 1,217 participants were enrolled using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, pre-validated questionnaire assessing demographics, PCOS awareness, and symptoms. Participants with a self-reported previous diagnosis of PCOS were excluded from symptom screening. The psychometric properties of the 20-item PCOS knowledge questionnaire were evaluated using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) and a two-parameter Logistic Item Response Theory (IRT) model. RESULT: The mean age of participants was 21.86 ± 2.24 years. Among participants without a previous diagnosis of PCOS, 33.64% were identified as being at risk of PCOS and 1.28% had symptom profiles highly suggestive of PCOS. Additionally, 29.90% of participants reported a previous diagnosis of PCOS. Awareness of the broader health implications of PCOS remained inadequate. Although gynecological symptoms were generally well recognized, knowledge of metabolic consequences and long-term complications was limited. Less than half of the participants were aware of the association between PCOS and insulin resistance (44.53%), type 2 diabetes (45.02%), and cardiovascular disease (33.00%). DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a substantial burden of previously undiagnosed, symptom-screened PCOS and inadequate awareness of its long-term health implications. Targeted health education, early screening, and appropriate clinical evaluation are needed to improve PCOS awareness and management.