Title: The role of overall health literacy in supporting the health management of women with PCOS: A comparison of AI based and traditional tracking methods
Abstract:
Health literacy is vital for managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting about 4.5 million Filipino women. Low health literacy can lead to misdiagnosis, poor treatment adherence, and inadequate self-management (Shahid et al., 2022; DOH, n.d.). Menstrual tracking tools, including AI-based apps, may support self-care and improve health literacy, but their effectiveness compared to traditional methods remains unclear. This study compares the health literacy of PCOS patients using AI-based trackers versus traditional calendar methods. This quantitative comparative study involved 101 women aged 18–45 from Metro Manila with diagnosed PCOS, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed the HLS-EU-Q47 questionnaire via Google Forms. Data were anonymized and analyzed using descriptive statistics and an Independent t-test. Women using AI-based trackers had significantly higher health literacy scores across all domains (t = -2.715, p =.008). The participants showed better understanding of medical instructions, stronger disease prevention, and more proactive health behaviors. These users were generally younger, single, more educated, and had higher incomes. However, both groups showed limited literacy in emergency response and public health awareness. Women with PCOS using AI-based menstrual tracking tools demonstrated significantly higher health literacy in healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion compared to traditional method users. They exhibited better comprehension of medical guidance and stronger self-care practices. These findings suggest AI-based tools may support improved PCOS self-management by enhancing patient engagement and knowledge. However, there remains a need to improve public health education to address broader gaps in health literacy, especially in emergency preparedness and public health awareness.
