Determinants of periodic health examination uptake among adults in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Periodic Health Examinations (PHEs) typically occur annually and provide an important opportunity for providers to screen their patients for undiagnosed health conditions and monitor existing conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Unfortunately, PHEs are reported to be low in Saudi Arabia. This study’s aim was to assess the regular uptake of PHEs by adults residing in Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia.


MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults (aged ≥ 20 years) residing in five communities in the Al-Jouf Region on sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported chronic conditions, knowledge of PHEs, and their regular uptake. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the factors associated with regular uptake of PHEs.


RESULTS:
A total of 624 participants completed the survey questionnaire. Of the participants, 27.7% reported a regular uptake of PHEs. The odds of regular uptake of PHEs were higher among older respondents (odds ratio [OR] =1.98; P = 0.002), those who reported that they had diabetes (OR = 3.25; P < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 4.11; P = 0.001), hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.66; P = 0.003), and those with a higher PHEs knowledge score (OR = 1.35; P < 0.001). However, the odds regular uptake of PHEs among respondents residing in the three governorates and Skaka city were significantly lower (OR = 0.27; P = 0.001 and OR = 0.30; P = 0.002, respectively) than their counterparts.


CONCLUSION:
Low rates of PHEs uptake were observed among the survey participants in the Al-Jouf Region of Saudi Arabia. The characteristics of individuals associated with low uptake of PHEs were identified. Tailored interventions, such as the use of community health workers and clinic communications, could target these individuals to increase the uptake of PHEs.