The Experience of Living With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Military

Completed

• Conditions: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT03876665
• Lead Sponsor: David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to understand the experience of living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as an active duty Service Woman. As part of a budding research program, this proposed study will lay the groundwork for future intervention studies targeting the management of PCOS in a military population.

Detailed Description

Using a qualitative descriptive approach with focus groups (FG) and individual interviews (II), the investigators will seek to describe the experience of living with PCOS as an active duty service woman (ADSW). This method will allow the investigators to obtain a comprehensive summary of living with PCOS in the every day terms of ADSW. The discussion in the (FG) meetings will be an effective way to supply information about what people think, or how they feel, or on the way they act. Advantages of this method include: (a) it can cover a large number of people in one session, (b) it is an efficient way of gaining a large amount of information in a short time, (c) it is comparatively easier to drive or conduct, and (d) it generates an opportunity to collect data from the group interaction, which concentrates on the topic of the researcher's interest \[64, 65\].

This proposed study will focus on six primary areas of inquiry: (a) experience of receiving PCOS diagnosis (b) symptoms experienced and methods of coping with them, (c) military-specific experience of managing and living with PCOS, (d) access to/availability of information related to PCOS and how they have applied it, (e) experience of support, and (f) present and future concerns about having PCOS.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-02-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-03-14
• Study First Posted: 2019-03-15
• Study Start: 2019-08-15
• Primary Completion: 2020-12-30
• Study Completion: 2020-12-30
• Status Verified: 2021-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-02-19
• Last Update Posted: 2021-02-23

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• Women, active duty or prior (within 5 years) in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps
• Diagnosed with PCOS
• 18 years of age or over

Exclusion Criteria

• Reservist, Coast Guard, women who have separated or retired > 5 years ago

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Describe the PCOS experience of active duty service members	through study completion, up to 18 months	Information from focused groups (FG) discussions and individual interviews (II) will be transcribed, categorized and then organized into themes that describe the experiences of active duty service members
Describe the PCOS experience by branch of service	through study completion, up to 18 months	Information from focused groups (FG) discussions and individual interviews (II) will be transcribed, categorized and then organized into themes that describe the experiences by branch of service

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

David Grant Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Travis Air Force Base, California, United States