Utilization of Routine Medical Checkup and Factors Influencing Use of Routine Medical Checkup among Saudi Students Studying in the USA in 2019

Abstract

Introduction: The few studies that have investigated patterns of routine checkup (hereafter routine checkups) among Saudis have found overall low rates of use. Those studies focused mainly on understanding the influence of individual characteristics on use of routine checkup. Aims: The main purpose of this study was to consider a wider array of factors beyond individual characteristics, including system-based factors, beliefs, attitudes, and satisfaction, and to examine their influence on use of routine checkup among Saudi students studying in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional survey targeting Saudi students studying in the United States aged 19 years or older was conducted to gather information about their sociodemographic characteristics, needs for healthcare, use of routine checkup and satisfaction with access to primary care services. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine factors influencing use of routine checkup among Saudis. Results: 381 surveys were eligible to be included in the analyses. Among the included participants, only 25.5% had a routine checkup after the age of 18 years. The likelihood of having routine checkup after the age of 18 was significantly higher among those who trusted provided primary care, believed in the importance of routine checkup, had health insurance, had chronic conditions and were physically active, and was significantly lower among married individuals. Conclusions: The use of routine checkup is low among Saudis and this study has laid the foundation for future research that can inform policy and decision-making related to improving use of routine care in Saudi Arabia.

Barriers to routine checkups use among Saudis from the perspective of primary care providers

“…Another study found that those significantly more likely to have a routine checkup trusted their primary care providers (PCPs), believed routine checkups were important, were insured, had comorbid conditions, and engaged in physical activity. 6 Unlike El Bcheraoui et al, 5 this study 6 also found that routine checkups were significantly lower among married individuals. Although these studies have contributed to the dearth of knowledge on use of routine checkups among Saudi adults, they focused on characteristics and perspectives of Saudi adult users of healthcare services and did not consider the perspectives of healthcare providers.…”

“…Two survey studies-one involving a nationally representative sample of Saudi adults and the other involving Saudi students studying in the United States of America (USA)-found that three-quarters of the participants had never had a routine checkup. 5,6 A third study reported that 65.7% of Saudis had never had a routine checkup. 7 Accordingly, it is important to understand more about the healthcare-seeking behaviors of Saudi adults.…”

“…2,3 However, most citizens of KSA have never had routine checkups even though healthcare services are provided free of charge to them. [4][5][6] We attempted to elucidate why so few Saudi adults opt for routine checkups. Specifically, we explored barriers hampering the use of routine checkups among Saudi adults from the perspective of PCPs working at PHCs in Makkah city.…”

“…https://smj.org.sa Saudi Med J 2022; Vol. 43(6) Barriers to checkups for Saudi adults ... Alzahrani et al…”

An Assessment of the Knowledge and Practices of Adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, Concerning Routine Medical Checkups

“…Furthermore, Alzahrani et al reported that participants who trusted their primary care providers were more likely to perform routine medical checkups. 23 Nonetheless, the association between trusting healthcare providers and the probability of routine medical checkups was not assessed in our study.…”