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Teenager Takes PCOS Awareness Sessions to 20,000 Girls
Avni Khattar is a 17-year-old student who wants more girls to learn about PCOS.
PCOS is a health condition that can affect periods and cause symptoms such as acne or changes in weight.
After seeing that many girls knew little about it, she began holding awareness sessions.
She says the sessions have reached more than 20,000 girls in 20 states.
Girls can ask questions, and medical concerns are passed to doctors.
Avni says the goal is to help girls know when to seek medical advice, not to diagnose themselves.
She is also working on a website and learning materials for schools.
She hopes to raise money for a machine that can make sanitary pads.
Seventeen-year-old Avni Khattar says her PCOS awareness sessions have reached more than 20,000 girls across 20 states.
A survey she shared with 180 girls found that only 18 said they knew about PCOS.
Khattar began the initiative after observing consultations during an internship with Dr Indrani Salunkhe at Wockhardt Hospital.
Her sessions explain PCOS, invite questions and direct medical concerns to doctors; she says the aim is not self-diagnosis.
She is developing a school-focused website and educational toolkit, and aims to raise Rs 10 lakh for a sanitary-pad manufacturing machine.
- Who
- Avni Khattar, a 17-year-old Class 12 student, is leading the awareness initiative.
- What
- She is conducting PCOS awareness sessions and developing educational resources for young people.
- Where
- The sessions have reached girls across 20 states, including communities and schools in Mumbai.
- When
- The article does not give a specific date for the initiative.
- Why
- Khattar says teenagers have limited awareness of PCOS and may dismiss symptoms that could warrant medical attention.
Key facts
- Age
- 17
- Students reached
- More than 20,000 girls
- States reached
- 20
- Survey
- 180 girls were surveyed; 18 said they knew about PCOS.
- Typical session
- A five-minute introductory video followed by around 30 minutes of interaction.
- Planned resources
- A website and educational toolkit for schools and students.
- Fundraising goal
- Rs 10 lakh towards a machine that can manufacture sanitary pads.
Quotes
Avni Khattar
A 17-year-old student leading a PCOS awareness initiative.
“As I observed the patient consultations, I noticed that most of the young girls had menstrual or other bodily issues that were due to underlying PCOS, while older women had infertility issues where PCOS had not been detected at an early stage.”
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“We spoke to girls who were not comfortable discussing these issues with their friends or parents. These sessions have helped make PCOS and menstrual health more of a table conversation.”
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