Patients' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning endometriosis and its long-term management.

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis, affecting 10-15% of women, causes pain and infertility. Current treatments have limitations. This study aimed to investigate patients' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) concerning endometriosis and its long-term management.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients diagnosed with endometriosis, using a self-designed questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 301 valid questionnaires were included. The mean age of the participants was 32.3 ± 6.8 years, and 220 (73.1%) cases or participants. The participants scored a mean of 13.28 ± 5.98 (possible range: 0-24) for knowledge, 28.23 ± 2.38 (possible range: 8-40) for attitude, and 22.56 ± 4.76 (possible range: 7-35) for practice. They indicated a generally poor KAP. The structural equation model revealed that knowledge had a direct influence on attitude (β = 0.287, P = 0.014) and knowledge also directly influenced practice (β = 0.361, P = 0.005). Duration of endometriosis (β = 0.300, P = 0.006), having children (β = -0.127, P = 0.010), ethnicity (β = -0.127, P = 0.010), education (β = 0.217, P = 0.009), and having female relatives with endometriosis (β = -0.202, P = 0.004) had significant direct effects on knowledge. Having children (β = -0.037, P = 0.015), ethnicity (β = -0.037, P = 0.008), having female relatives with endometriosis (β = -0.058, P = 0.004), income (β = -0.176, P = 0.009), drinking (β = 0.318, P = 0.008), and health insurance (β = 0.169, P = 0.016) influenced attitude. Duration of endometriosis diagnosis (β = 0.103, P = 0.006), having children (β = -0.044, P = 0.010), ethnicity (β = -0.242, P = 0.015), education (β = 0.258, P = 0.013), having female relatives with endometriosis (β = -0.293, P = 0.007), and health insurance (β = -0.123, P = 0.030) influenced practice.

CONCLUSION

Patients demonstrated inadequate knowledge, moderate attitudes, and practices regarding endometriosis. These findings suggest a need for more targeted educational efforts. Healthcare providers should prioritize education, particularly for individuals from diverse backgrounds and those with limited resources, to enhance patient outcomes.