Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Gynaecological endocrine disorders affect millions of women worldwide, yet their diagnosis is often delayed by years. For Generation Z, the internet serves as a primary source of information; however, health literacy and the psychosocial burdens of these disorders remain under-researched in this age group, particularly regarding the concurrent examination of specific conditions. Our objective was to assess the hormonal health literacy of high school and university-aged women, and to explore the correlations between symptoms and mental well-being.
METHODS: In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, a self-designed, anonymous online questionnaire was administered to 220 participants (adolescence: n=138, young adulthood: n=82). Participants with prior experience in hormonal disorders, as well as those studying in the healthcare field, were not excluded from the study. Health literacy was measured using objective definitional questions, while attitudes were assessed using Likert scales. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel, and associations were analysed using two-sample t-tests, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 18.17±2.55 years. Among those who exercise regularly and/or follow a diet, 71% experience irregular menstruation, and 76% of them do not consult a gynaecologist. A significant correlation was found between turning to the internet for answers and concealing symptoms (p=0.039). The knowledge of students studying in the healthcare field was significantly higher (p=0.008).
CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that hormonal disorders pose a significant psychosocial burden as early as high school age. Significantly low health literacy and the normalization of pain hinder early diagnosis. The findings highlight the need for systemic education, which could improve the quality of life for Generation Z through the early recognition of symptoms.