PCOS/PCOD as result of lifestyle and stress among college-going female students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate PCOS/PCOD in collegegoing female students of the present time as a major health challenge at personal, familial and societal levels. This study is divided into two phases, which examine lifestyle and stress as characteristics and determinants of PCOS/PCOD in college-going females. The sample includes college-going female students, aged between 18-25 years, of undergraduate and postgraduate classes of all disciplines of Higher Education Centres, Bhopal. Purposive sampling was used. Simple quantitative analysis (analysis of percentage and conversion of scores into levels) has been done to get the comparative picture of various dimensions of life style factors. Phase I investigates lifestyle factors by using a selfdeveloped 5-point interview schedule, which includes 10 lifestyle dimensions. Results of phase I suggest that excessive screen time, unregulated sleep patterns and poor dietary habits play a contributing role among females with PCOD/PCOS. Since adolescence is characterized by stress (Stanley Hall's 4s), it was deemed essential to plan a second phase of this study employing ex post facto research design with causal factors of stress comparing college-going females with PCOS/PCOD with two healthy controls (comparative groups). Phase II of this study explores perceived stress levels using a perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ). One-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference among the above-mentioned three groups. The results are discussed in the light of Adlerian theory and the bio-psycho-social model of health, with a specific emphasis on belief systems and lifestyle as well as its implications on health