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The prevalence and comorbidities of mental disorders in Saudi Arabia general population: A cross-sectional survey among attendees of primary healthcare centers in Riyadh

epidemiology
internal-medicine
public-health
mental-health

Abstract

Background: Mental disorders impose a substantial global health burden, yet their prevalence and associated comorbidities in specific populations, such as the Saudi general population, remain under-documented.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mental health disorders and identify their sociodemographic, behavioral, and comorbidity-related determinants among primary healthcare attendees in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 14,239 Saudi residents visiting primary healthcare centers in Riyadh. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral factors, and self-reported comorbidities were collected. Univariate analysis (p-value < 0.25) and multivariable logistic regression (p-value < 0.05) were employed to identify independent predictors of mental health disorders. All analyses were performed in SPSS version 26.0.
Results: The self-reported prevalence of mental health disorders in the study population was 2.5%. Multivariable analysis revealed several significant independent predictors. Individuals aged less than 50 years (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.19-1.83, p<0.001) and females (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.56-2.50, p<0.001) had significantly higher odds of mental health disorders. Presence of health insurance coverage was also associated with increased odds (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.48-2.30, p<0.001). Crucially, smoking (AOR = 4.45, 95% CI: 3.22-6.15, p<0.001), hypertension (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.61-3.34, p<0.001), obesity (AOR = 9.40, 95% CI: 6.96-12.70, p<0.001), hypercholesterolemia (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.98-4.07, p<0.001), and heart disease (AOR = 12.74, 95% CI: 9.25-17.56, p<0.001) were all strong independent predictors of mental health disorders.
Conclusions: This study highlights a significant burden of self-reported mental health disorders among primary healthcare attendees in Riyadh, with strong associations found among younger individuals, females, and those with certain chronic physical conditions and smoking behavior. These findings underscore the critical need for integrated mental and physical healthcare services, emphasizing routine screening and targeted interventions within primary care to address these interconnected health challenges in Saudi Arabia.
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