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.

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

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2025年11月28日

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Chengbin Lin,
Zhiwei Wu,
Yuanjun Cai

摘要

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.