Environmental and dietary habits as determinants of polycystic ovarian syndrome among women of childbearing age in Ibadan metropolis. A cross-sectional study.

Rasheedah Adunni  Abdulquadri; Balogun O. J; Odelola J. O

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2581

Authors

Rasheedah Adunni Abdulquadri Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Balogun O. J Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Odelola J. O Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2581

Keywords:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, environmental factors, dietary habits, genetics, women of childbearing age, Ibadan

Abstract

Background:

This study examined the roles of environmental factors (specifically climatic conditions), genetics, and dietary habits as potential contributors to PCOS among women of childbearing age in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methods:

A descriptive correlational design was adopted. Data were collected using a self-developed, four-scale questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.77. Multistage sampling was employed: purposive sampling was used to select all state-owned primary health centres in Ibadan; disproportionate sampling selected 60% of these centres; and a further disproportionate technique selected 50% of nursing mothers from the chosen centres, yielding a sample of 400 respondents.

Results:

77(19.9%) of the respondents were between the age of 20 - 29 years, 135 (35%) were between the age of 30 - 39 years, 137 (35.5%) were aged 40 - 49 years with the least number of respondent 37 (9.6%) were aged 50 - above, with educational background (87.8%) and about (56%) were of the monogamous family type while (44%) were polygamous. Regarding the determinant of PCOS by the respondents, 25.1 % affirmed that Hormonal shifts throw off body temperature regulation, 20.8% testified that the environment also affects and causes irregular flow. Climatic conditions (β = .461, t = 8.777, p < 0.05), genetics (β = .443, t = 9.695, p < 0.05), and diet (β = .590, t = 5.032, p < 0.05) each had a statistically significant and notable impact on PCOS among women of childbearing age.

Conclusion:

It was established that climatic conditions, dietary habits, and genetic predisposition collectively and independently predicted PCOS among women of childbearing age in Ibadan. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of PCOS.

Recommendation:

The Ministry of Health/Women's Affairs needs to integrate public health interventions targeting lifestyle, environment, and genetics as risk factors to polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Author Biographies

Rasheedah Adunni Abdulquadri, Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

is a post-graduate (master's) student of the School and Community Health unit, Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

Balogun O. J , Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

is a distinguished researcher and public health professional lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Department of Health Education, Nigeria, and currently holds a postdoctoral research fellowship at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He holds a PhD in School and Community Health Education and a master of Public Health with specialization in Health Promotion and Education from the same University. His research interests lie within systematic reviews, scoping reviews, public health interventions, maternal health, adolescents' mental health, reproductive health, and community development.

Odelola J. O, Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan

is a Professor of Health in the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan. He is a researcher with experience in safety education, schools, and the community, as well as health evaluation studies. He is presently the Head of the Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan.

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