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Exploring factors influencing health empowerment in Saudi Arabia: bridging the gap for equitable health utilization
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DOI：10.3389/fpubh.2026.1860728.png)
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Abstract
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BackgroundAddressing disparities in equitable health service utilization in Saudi Arabia is essential to designing targeted public health interventions. This study aimed to assess levels of health empowerment across sociodemographic variables and to evaluate participation in Vision 2030 health initiatives.MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study administered the Arabic version of the Health Empowerment Scale (HES-A) to 420 participants recruited via online social media platforms. Chi-square tests; one-way ANOVA; and multiple linear regression were employed to analyze group-level differences and predictors of health empowerment.ResultsThe sample was predominantly male (52.4%); urban-dwelling (69.8%); married (65.0%); and employed (67.6%). Gender was the only significant predictor of HES-A scores in the regression model; accounting for 8.4% of the variance (R2 = 0.084; β = 0.252; p < 0.001). Males reported higher empowerment scores than females (mean 4.041 vs. 3.612). Rural residents reported marginally higher empowerment than urban residents (mean 3.965 vs. 3.782; F(1; 418) = 4.081; p = 0.044). The majority of participants (56.4%) preferred government health facilities; 71.7% maintained an active medical record; and 75.0% used digital health platforms. Cultural norms positively influenced healthcare-seeking behavior in 58.3% of participants.ConclusionGender and residential location are key factors shaping health empowerment in Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive; gender-responsive interventions and the expansion of digital health to advance equitable health utilization aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.
Keywords:
health equity
sociodemographic factors
public health
Saudi Arabia
gender disparities
health empowerment
health services utilization
HES-A
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