Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Educational Protocol on Decreasing Depression and Improving Quality of Life Among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent reproductive endocrine disorder among women of childbearing age that significantly diminishes health-related quality of life and precipitates psychological morbidities. Objectives: This study aimed evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, nurse-led educational protocol on decreasing depression levels and improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among women diagnosed with PCOS.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental (pre-test and post-test) design was used at the outpatient gynecological clinic of Benha University Hospital. A purposive sample of 100 women with PCOS was enrolled. Data collection utilized a structured interviewing questionnaire, a PCOS knowledge assessment tool, a healthy self-care practice scale, the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ-50), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Results: Post-intervention findings revealed a highly significant surge in cumulative disease knowledge scores, rising from a baseline mean of 8.85 ± 5.73 to 33.57 ± 3.91 out of 36 marks (p < 0.001). Cohort adherence to healthy self-care practices improved significantly, with mean scores escalating from 11.41 to 28.85 (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: A structured, nurse-led educational protocol serves as an exceptionally effective clinical strategy for mitigating depressive manifestations, rectifying health literacy gaps, and systematically maximizing multi-dimensional quality of life parameters among women living with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Recommendation: Nurse-led educational guidelines is fundamentally recommended as a core component within outpatient gynecological care paths. Furthermore, the systematic enforcement of routine, periodic mental health screenings for the early detection and management of clinical depression, alongside multidisciplinary lifestyle promotion programs, is vital to sustain optimal long-term health outcomes.