Comparative Survey Study on Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Disease Among Urban (Pune) and Rural (Purandar) College Girls

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) exhibits notable differences in prevalence and risk factors between urban- and rural-based populations, which has an impact on adolescent and reproductive health in India. This study sought to investigate and compare the prevalence, demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptom profiles, and healthcare access associated with PCOD in college girls in urban and rural settings. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,104 urban and rural female college students in Maharashtra and indicated that the prevalence of PCOD among urban girls (10.6%) was significantly greater compared to rural girls (6.7%). Although urban and rural girls were nearly equal with respect to age and sample size, urban girls had higher knowledge of PCOD, had more experience with healthcare providers, experienced more stress, and had a higher prevalence of clinical symptoms such as irregular periods and hyperandrogenism, even though urban girls had a higher prevalence of obesity (59.7%) compared to rural girls (5.3%). A family history of PCOD was a strong predictor in both urban and rural girls, with urban girls having notably better access to medical care. These findings highlight the need for distinct intervention strategies such as awareness promotions, stress-reducing interventions, and healthcare access to address risks and barriers to healthcare in each population subgroup.