CARE-SEEKING BEHAVIORS TOWARDS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Introduction: The concept of being infected with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is culturally sensitive in Saudi Arabia. Considering the impact and cost-effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment, studying the care-seeking behaviors of the Saudi population towards STIs is essential. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate care-seeking behaviors towards STIs and associated factors in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, including 420 adults aged 18-60, male and female, Native Arabicspeakers, and living in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered, community-based, and computerized questionnairewas constructed by the researchers and distributed via social media. Data analysis was managed using the Statistical Packagefor SocialSciences (SPSS) version 27. Results: A total of 420 participants were included in this study. 77% of respondents were willing to seek care once they suspect having STIs. All socioeconomic factors and perceived barriers were introduced into a logistic regression model that included different variables such as religion, workinghours, income, fear of legal issues, condom protection knowledge, STIs symptomsknowledge,and transmission routesknowledge had significant relationship with willingness to seek healthcare.Furthermore,more than 52% had no obstaclesto report STIs, while the remaining respondents had some obstacles. The three most prominent obstacles werefear of breaching confidentiality (~30%), fear of stigma (~21%), and fear of partnerresponse (~20%). Conclusions: The study showed good-seeking behavior as the majority of the respondents were willing to seek healthcare. However, several factors and obstacleswere foundsuch as religion, workinghours, income, fear of legal issues, condom protection knowledge, STI symptoms knowledge,transmission route knowledge, fear of breaching confidentiality, fear of stigma, and fear of partner and family responses.