Exploring Medical Students' Knowledge, Attitudes & Readiness Toward Endometriosis and Adenomyosis in Bangladesh
1
Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Ramna 1217, Bangladesh
2
Medicine, Manikganj Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Background and Rationale: Endometriosis and adenomyosis are prevalent yet underdiagnosed gynecological conditions, with global diagnostic delays of 7–10 years. In Bangladesh, delays are intensified by sociocultural stigma, limited reproductive health access, and gaps in clinical awareness. As future providers, medical students play a critical role in early recognition and patient-centered care; however, national-level evidence on preparedness is lacking. This first-of-its-kind study, conducted by the Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS) and the Endometriosis-Adenomyosis Society of Bangladesh (EASB), assesses students’ knowledge, attitudes, and readiness using validated tools adapted from WERF EPHect, RCOG, and WHO SRHR modules. The study adopts a gender-sensitive, stigma-informed lens to explore advocacy interest and curricular gaps informing medical education reform and national awareness strategies.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 400 MBBS students (1st year to intern) from public and private medical colleges in Bangladesh, recruited through purposive sampling via BMSS networks. Data were collected using a structured, pretested Google Form questionnaire adapted from validated tools. The survey assessed demographics, knowledge MCQs, Likert-scale attitudes and readiness, and views on stigma, advocacy, and volunteerism. Ethical approval was obtained from the Public Health Foundation of Bangladesh IRB, with informed digital consent.
RESULTS:
Only 11.8% of students reported confidence in general awareness and 5.9% in clinical knowledge. While 98.4% agreed menstrual disorders require greater curricular emphasis, empathy gaps persisted—only 33.7% of male students expressed empathy toward menstrual complaints. Although 69.4% identified laparoscopy as the diagnostic gold standard and 80% recognized primary imaging modalities, overall preparedness remained limited. Despite minimal prior engagement (93.5%), 79% expressed interest in advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Medical students demonstrate substantial knowledge gaps on endometriosis and adenomyosis but strong advocacy potential. Integrating gender-sensitive education, empathy-focused training, and student-led awareness initiatives into medical curricula is essential to improve future care for these neglected women’s health conditions.
Background and Rationale: Endometriosis and adenomyosis are prevalent yet underdiagnosed gynecological conditions, with global diagnostic delays of 7–10 years. In Bangladesh, delays are intensified by sociocultural stigma, limited reproductive health access, and gaps in clinical awareness. As future providers, medical students play a critical role in early recognition and patient-centered care; however, national-level evidence on preparedness is lacking. This first-of-its-kind study, conducted by the Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS) and the Endometriosis-Adenomyosis Society of Bangladesh (EASB), assesses students’ knowledge, attitudes, and readiness using validated tools adapted from WERF EPHect, RCOG, and WHO SRHR modules. The study adopts a gender-sensitive, stigma-informed lens to explore advocacy interest and curricular gaps informing medical education reform and national awareness strategies.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 400 MBBS students (1st year to intern) from public and private medical colleges in Bangladesh, recruited through purposive sampling via BMSS networks. Data were collected using a structured, pretested Google Form questionnaire adapted from validated tools. The survey assessed demographics, knowledge MCQs, Likert-scale attitudes and readiness, and views on stigma, advocacy, and volunteerism. Ethical approval was obtained from the Public Health Foundation of Bangladesh IRB, with informed digital consent.
RESULTS:
Only 11.8% of students reported confidence in general awareness and 5.9% in clinical knowledge. While 98.4% agreed menstrual disorders require greater curricular emphasis, empathy gaps persisted—only 33.7% of male students expressed empathy toward menstrual complaints. Although 69.4% identified laparoscopy as the diagnostic gold standard and 80% recognized primary imaging modalities, overall preparedness remained limited. Despite minimal prior engagement (93.5%), 79% expressed interest in advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Medical students demonstrate substantial knowledge gaps on endometriosis and adenomyosis but strong advocacy potential. Integrating gender-sensitive education, empathy-focused training, and student-led awareness initiatives into medical curricula is essential to improve future care for these neglected women’s health conditions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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