Predictor of dispensing behavior for mental health treatments in Saudi Arabia
Author(s)
Abdullah Althemery, BEc, PhD1, Abdulrahman AlFawzan, Masters2, Farah Aldlaigan, BSc2, Abdullah H. Alzeer, Ph.D3;
1Prince Sattam Bin Abdul-Aziz University, Assistant Professor, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, 2Lean Business Services, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3Lean, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1Prince Sattam Bin Abdul-Aziz University, Assistant Professor, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, 2Lean Business Services, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3Lean, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
OBJECTIVES: Patients using mental health treatments associated with lower utilizations compared with other chronic conditions. This study aims to identify predictors influencing the dispending patterns of mental health prescriptions in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: This is a retrospective cross section study design. Data was analyzed from the Ministry of health prescription drug platform from December 2018 to 2023. The platform includes over 1.9 million prescriptions, of which 3.3% were indicated for mental disorders. A series of chi-square testing followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted with significance level at p<0.05. The dependent variable was dichotomous, dispensing status, while the independent variables were patient’s demographic, clinical, and diagnostic factors.
RESULTS: Among MDSA prescriptions, 31.37% were dispensed, significantly lower than non-MDSA prescriptions (p<0.001). Logistic regression identified age and nationality as significant predictors. Older patients (66+) were 34% less likely to fill prescriptions compared to younger adults (OR=0.66, CI=0.60-0.73, p<0.005). Diagnoses related to disorders of psychological development and behavioral/emotional disorders were associated with reduced dispensing likelihood (OR=0.69 and OR=0.74, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate critical disparities in mental health treatment access in Saudi Arabia, especially among older adults. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve adherence and reduce barriers to mental health treatment. Policymakers should prioritize accessible and tailored solutions for vulnerable populations, like the Saudi population ages.
METHODS: This is a retrospective cross section study design. Data was analyzed from the Ministry of health prescription drug platform from December 2018 to 2023. The platform includes over 1.9 million prescriptions, of which 3.3% were indicated for mental disorders. A series of chi-square testing followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted with significance level at p<0.05. The dependent variable was dichotomous, dispensing status, while the independent variables were patient’s demographic, clinical, and diagnostic factors.
RESULTS: Among MDSA prescriptions, 31.37% were dispensed, significantly lower than non-MDSA prescriptions (p<0.001). Logistic regression identified age and nationality as significant predictors. Older patients (66+) were 34% less likely to fill prescriptions compared to younger adults (OR=0.66, CI=0.60-0.73, p<0.005). Diagnoses related to disorders of psychological development and behavioral/emotional disorders were associated with reduced dispensing likelihood (OR=0.69 and OR=0.74, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate critical disparities in mental health treatment access in Saudi Arabia, especially among older adults. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve adherence and reduce barriers to mental health treatment. Policymakers should prioritize accessible and tailored solutions for vulnerable populations, like the Saudi population ages.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
RWD138
Topic
Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
SDC: Mental Health (including addition)