Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Primary Major
Nursing
Thesis Advisor
Lynn Noyce, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC
Abstract
This study delves into the effectiveness of educating women about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) alongside the utilization of a dedicated mobile health application in raising awareness about PCOS and promoting healthcare-seeking behavior. PCOS, a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting 8-13% of women in their reproductive age, lacks definitive remedies, and its underlying causes remain elusive. The primary objective is to establish that empowering women with knowledge about PCOS, facilitated by the MyPCOS mobile app, can lead to increased awareness and encourage them to seek further evaluation from healthcare providers. Rooted in the Health Promotion Model (HPM), the study adopts a quasi-experimental design with a control and intervention group, employing pre-test and post-test assessments. A sample of 50 female college students aged 18-25 undergoes an educational session, with the intervention group using the MyPCOS app, while the control group does not. Data analysis includes various statistical tests to compare knowledge levels, app usage, and healthcare-seeking behavior. Acknowledging limitations, such as a small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, the study upholds ethical principles, emphasizing informed consent, participant privacy, and ongoing well-being monitoring. The overarching aim is to contribute valuable insights into the role of mobile health interventions in enhancing PCOS awareness and fostering proactive healthcare engagement among women.