PeerJ. 2025 Oct 23;13:e20239. doi: 10.7717/peerj.20239. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Visual impairment, including low vision and blindness, is an important global health concern. In Saudi Arabia, research on vision screening prevalence and its predictors is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vision screening and identify associated factors among Saudi residents attending primary healthcare settings.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to July 2023, involving 14,239 participants from 48 randomly selected primary healthcare centers in Riyadh. Data were collected electronically from participants aged 18 years and older, using a validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and comorbidities. Vision screening (yes/no) was the outcome of interest, and predictors were identified using multiple logistic regression. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.
RESULTS: The mean age of the population sample was 59.7 years ± SD 16.6 years, 56.6% were female, and 65.3% were married. The overall prevalence of vision screening was 9.1%. Multivariable analysis revealed that higher education (AOR 0.65-0.67, 95% CI [0.50-0.84] for up to high school; [0.52-0.87] for college/university; [0.44-0.76] for others) and marriage (AOR 0.81, 95% CI [0.70-0.94]) were associated with lower odds of vision screening. Conversely, unemployment (AOR 1.28, 95% CI [1.12-1.46]), exercise (AOR 1.29, 95% CI [1.14-1.47]), diabetes (AOR 1.49, 95% CI [1.24-1.80]), and obesity (AOR 1.39, 95% CI [1.11-1.75]) were associated with higher odds (all p < 0.05). Age, sex, insurance coverage, smoking, and hypertension did not reach statistical significance.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the prevalence of vision screening among the Saudi residents was low. This study identified key sociodemographic and health-related predictors of vision screening among Saudi residents. Targeted interventions are needed to improve screening rates, particularly among underutilizing groups such as those with higher education, married individuals, and employed individuals. Future research should qualitatively explore underlying reasons for these disparities to inform effective and culturally sensitive strategies.
PMID:41147000 | PMC:PMC12554312 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.20239
