The role of gender and digital health literacy in shaping nursing students' knowledge of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

AIM: To assess gender differences in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) knowledge, examine the link between digital health literacy (DHL) and PCOS knowledge, among male and female Egyptian nursing students and screen for PCOS among female students.

BACKGROUND

PCOS is a common, often underdiagnosed condition among reproductive-age women. DHL is vital for nursing students to access and understand health information.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2025 among Egyptian university nursing students. A self-administered questionnaire included four sections: socio-demographics, PCOS risk screening (females only), a 15-item PCOS knowledge test and the 8-item eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) to assess DHL.

RESULTS

Of 1175 participants (median age 20.0 years; 73.0 % female), 40.8 % had good PCOS knowledge. Females scored significantly higher than males (45.3 % vs. 28.4 %, p < 0.05). While 42.2 % had high DHL, gender differences were not significant. Among females, 9.0 % screened positive for probable PCOS, significantly associated with overweight/obesity (p < 0.05). Predictors of good PCOS knowledge included older age (Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR)= 1.32, 95 % CI = 1.15-1.52, p < 0.001), female sex (AOR = 1.85, 95 % CI = 1.38-2.48, p < 0.001), higher academic grade (AOR = 1.49, 95 % CI = 1.15-1.93, p = 0.002) and high DHL score (AOR = 1.03, 95 % CI = 1.02-1.05, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Female students had significantly better PCOS knowledge. DHL was positively linked to knowledge. Targeted education and DHL development, especially for male students, are essential to support equitable health education.