Factors Associated with Healthcare Utilization Among Adults in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Balgis Gaffar, Mir Faeq Ali Quadri, Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan, Brandon Brown, Maha El Tantawi, Nuraldeen Maher Al-Khanati, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Ntombifuthi P. Nzimande, Jorma I. Virtanen, Passent Ellakany, Nourhan M. Aly, Anthonia Omotola Ishabiyi, Folake Barakat Lawal, Muhammad Abrar Yousaf, Mohammed Jafer, Oliver Ezechi, Eshrat Ara, Martin Amogri Ayanore, Ifeoma Idigbe, Giuliana Florencia Abeldaño, Abeedha Tu-Allah Khan, Bamidele Olubukola Popoola, Benjamin Uzochukwu, Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga, Nicaise Ndembi, Zumama Khalid, Joanne Lusher and Annie Lu Nguyen

SAGE Open, 2024, vol. 14, issue 2, 21582440241247373

Abstract: To investigate factors associated with healthcare utilization by adults in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services utilization, we conducted logistic regressions to determine the relationship between predisposing factors (age, gender, education, employment status), need factors (critical medical needs), and enabling factors (insurance coverage, financial loss) on healthcare utilization (challenges accessing medical health care needs, resorting to alternative care, unable to attend medical appointments) as the main outcome. Data of 958 adults residing in KSA were extracted. Financial loss increased the odds of challenges in accessing healthcare (OR: 1.73) and lowered the odds of resorting to alternative medical care (OR: 0.63) and inability to attend healthcare appointments (OR: 0.55). Public insurance increased the odds of skipping healthcare appointments (OR: 1.62). Need factors were associated with lower odds of facing challenges accessing healthcare (OR: 0.37), higher odds of resorting to alternative medical care (OR: 5.65), and failure to attend healthcare appointments (OR: 1.92) respectively. Factors known to enable healthcare utilization should be continuously evaluated during emergency situations. Alternative routes of health provision, along with proper health education, should be accessible to all socioeconomic groups.

Keywords: COVID-19; financial loss; healthcare utilization; healthcare avoidance; health seeking behavior; medical insurance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:2:p:21582440241247373

DOI: 10.1177/21582440241247373

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