PCOS; Thief Of Womanhood Dr Keya Shivadey Specialist Gynaecologist Aster Clinic, Business Bay
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PCOS affects about 10 million women around the world and the estimated number for Dubai is more than 50,000 for the current period. It is said that the number will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.81% till 2030.
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“NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN SINCERE IGNORANCE” - MARTIN LUTHER KING
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An Omnibus Survey deployed on PCOS & Endometriosis Awareness conducted by Aster Hospital & Clinics in association with international internet-based market research firm – YouGov. More than 1000 respondents both Male & Female were surveyed, and it was found out that the awareness about across genders/income groups & geographies is generally low.
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q1. How familiar are you with a health condition known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
I am not at all familiar with PCOS
47.86%
I am slightly familiar with PCOS
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
23.25%
12.22%
I am moderately familiar with PCOS
8.32%
I am extremely familiar with PCOS
8.35%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
Base: All (1003)
84% individuals are not confident enough about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) while males are higher in percentage as compared to females. So, there is a need to educate individuals regarding PCOS disease. 25
60.00%
The awareness levels are similar irrespective of the income level of individuals. As, expected men are less aware than women regarding PCOS. Gender
Income Group 7%
I am extremely familiar with PCOS
I am moderately familiar with PCOS
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
Prefer not to say / Don't know
13% 6%
$5333 and Above
12%
$2666 to $5332
15%
52%
10% 9%
30%
46%
7% 7%
15%
28%
43%
11%
$1600 to $2665
27%
8% 7% 10%
24%
51%
22%
Below $1600
9% 10% 13%
34%
I am not at all familiar with PCOS
55%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
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5%
18%
7%
I am slightly familiar with PCOS
Male
10% 13%
Female
0%
10%
21%
20%
47% 30%
40%
50%
I am not at all familiar with PCOS
I am slightly familiar with PCOS
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
I am moderately familiar with PCOS
I am extremely familiar with PCOS
60
The awareness level are low across all age group while the youngest one (1824 years) are the most ignorant. So, we need to focus more on our younger population who will make a significant impact in future. Age Group 60%
55%
52%
50%
44%
43%
43%
40%
28%
30%
26% 23%
22% 20%
19% 15%
10%
0%
10% 8%
18 to 24
8%
10%10%
25 to 29
I am not at all familiar with PCOS I am moderately familiar with PCOS
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12% 9%
9%
30 to 34
I am slightly familiar with PCOS I am extremely familiar with PCOS
11%
14%
9% 9%
35 to 39
7%
4%
40+
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
Recommendation – The awareness campaign should be targeted more towards the younger age group.
Arab Expat and Asians will be required more focus about PCOS as compared to all other nationality. While more than 80% of population in each of the larger emirates are either unaware or have inadequate awareness about PCOS. . UAE Nationality 70% 60%
58%
54%
49%
50% 40% 30%
35% 30%
20%
25%
14% 11% 9%
10%
34% 30% 21%
14% 2%
0%
Emirati
12% 7%
11%10% 9%
6%
Arab Expat
18%
16%
Asian
4%
Westerner
I am not at all familiar with PCOS
I am slightly familiar with PCOS
I am moderately familiar with PCOS
I am extremely familiar with PCOS
20%
Other
0%
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
UAE Emirates 57%
60% 50%
48%
49%
44%
40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
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26% 21%
24%
20% 14%
8% 9%
Abu Dhabi
12% 11%
11% 9% 9%
Dubai
Sharjah
I am not at all familiar with PCOS
I am slightly familiar with PCOS
I am moderately familiar with PCOS
I am extremely familiar with PCOS
8%
11% 3% 4% Other Emirates
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
75% of married with no children are either unaware or have inadequate awareness about PCOS leading to infertility Marital Status 4% I am extremely familiar with PCOS
8% 7%
I am moderately familiar with PCOS
7% 8%
13%
11% 12%
21%
12% 12% 12%
I am somewhat familiar with PCOS
14% I am slightly familiar with PCOS 19%
25% 28%
38%
I am not at all familiar with PCOS
0%
10% Single
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20%
Married - with children
30% Married - no children
40% Other
51% 45%
54% 50%
60%
Whereas 45% of people are unaware about any complications which arises due to PCOS mainly due to limited awareness and resources. q2. As far as you are aware, which of the following are some of the other health complications that arise because of PCOS? 26%
Infertility 18%
Abnormal uterine bleeding
18%
Depression and anxiety
13%
Type 2 diabetes
12%
High blood pressure
12%
Metabolic syndrome
10%
Cholesterol and lipid abnormalities Cancer of the uterine lining, caused by exposure to continuous high levels of estrogen
9% 7%
Sleep apnea
5%
Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
4%
Liver inflammation
8%
Other
45%
I am not aware of any complication 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Recommendation - Along with raising awareness we want women diagnosed with PCOS to know and grow to love their bodies. We hope 30 that these efforts will help provide patients with clear information and support for treating PCOS, educational resources and outreach.
70%
80%
90%
100%
Male counterparts are less aware. So, there is a need to educate male population such that they can support the female counterpart in their well-being.
Gender 60% 50%
50% 41%
35%
40% 30% 20% 10%
26% 19%
14%
27% 13%
16% 13% 12% 10%
16% 9%
12% 9%
0%
Male
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Female
15% 6%
8% 6%
7% 4%
5% 4%
9% 5%
Awareness level of specific complication are low irrespective of the income level. 43%
Incom e Group
60%
52% 51%
50% 40%
41 %
30% 20% 10% 0%
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Below $1600
$1600 to $2665
$5333 and Above
Prefer not to say / Don't know
$2666 to $5332
44%
One of the most important aspect to cure any disease in the early stage are the symptoms associated with these disease. And, it has been seen that more than 82% of the population of UAE doesn’t have enough knowledge about the symptoms associated with PCOS. q3. Which, if any of the symptoms associated with PCOS? 37%
Irregular menstrual periods 32%
Cysts on the ovaries
28%
Infertility 24%
Weight gain or obesity Increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
18% 15%
Pelvic pain Acne, oily skin, or dandruf
13%
Anxiety or depression
13% 10%
Baldness or thinning hair Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs that are thick and dark brown or black
8% 5%
Skin tags — excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
4%
Other
38%
I am not aware of any symptom 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Awareness should be around the symptoms so that early detection can be ensured.
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90%
100%
As expected male population has very little knowledge about PCOS symptoms
Gender 70%
62%
60% 50%
49% 42%
40% 30% 25% 20%
46%
40% 31%
23%
22%
16%
10%
11%
26% 9%
23% 8%
0%
.
Male
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Female
19% 15% 13% 9% 8% 7% 6% 4%
21% 5% 2%
Irrespective of the income level people are less about about symptoms
Incom e Group 50% 46% 44% 43% 42% 45% 40% 39% 39% 37% 37% 36% 40%34% 34% 34% 33% 32% 35% 30% 28% 27% 25% 27% 27% 30% 23% 23% 21% 23% 22% 22% 22% 25% 20% 20% 18% 17% 16%16% 20% 14% 13% 11%13% 11% 11% 11% 11% 11% 15% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9% 11% 8% 7% 7%9%9% 6% 6% 6% 6%5%4% 10% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 5% 0%
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Below $1600
$1600 to $2665
$5333 and Above
Prefer not to say / Don't know
$2666 to $5332
Westerner have better knowledge about these symptoms than any other nationalities. So, there is need to focus more on Asian and Arab Expat. UAE Nationality 80% 70% 67% 66% 70% 60% 50%42% 42% 41% 41% 40% 39% 38% 38% 37% 36% 34% 40% 33% 32% 31% 29% 30% 29% 29% 27% 26% 25% 24% 24% 23% 30% 21% 21% 20% 19% 20% 19% 17% 17% 16% 16% 15% 14% 15% 14% 11% 14% 14% 13% 20% 11% 11% 10% 8%5% 5% 7% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3%6%5% 6% 10% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Emirati
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Arab Expat
Asian
Westerner
Other
Dubai has slightly better awareness still overall awareness among all emirates are generally low. Various Emirates 45%
42%
41% 40%
38% 35% 35% 34% 30%
39% 37% 35%
38% 35% 30% 30% 30% 27%
25%
24%
20%
28% 28% 22% 20% 19% 17%
18%
15%
12%
10%
0%
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15% 15% 13% 13% 12% 11% 11% 11% 11% 10% 11% 9% 8% 8% 7% 7% 3%
5%
Abu Dhabi Other Emirates
18% 15% 12% 12%
Dubai
Sharjah
7% 5% 4% 2%
6%
5% 3% 2%
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