Factors Influencing Health-Seeking Behavior Among Sudanese Expatriates in Saudi Arabia, 2023. A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Immigrant groups face prejudice and have limited access to healthcare. In Saudi Arabia, expatriates are particularly socially disadvantaged. Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in drawing enormous numbers of Sudanese professionals and technical labor throughout the years and is becoming an increasingly preferred destination after the Sudanese War of April 15, 2023. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing health-seeking behavior among Sudanese immigrants in Saudi Arabia, as understanding these factors is important for improving healthcare access and health outcomes. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting Sudanese residents of KSA via convenient sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically and 494 participants were recruited for the study. Results This study showed that the majority of the participants (66.6%) visited a primary healthcare center when faced with a medical problem. However, the prevalence of self-medication in the past three months was 45.7%. Only age (OR [95% CI]: 1.032 [1.000-1.066]) and not having health insurance were found to significantly influence health-seeking behavior. Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of understanding healthcare-seeking behavior among immigrant groups, particularly Sudanese expats in Saudi Arabia. It highlights the significance of insurance as a determinant of healthcare-seeking behavior and calls for reforming current policies to reduce disparities in accessing healthcare services.