Publication:

Socioeconomic factors influencing the quality of gynecological care in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Background Gynecological care quality is shaped by complex socioeconomic, cultural, and psychosocial determinants. Evidence on these factors remains limited in the Arabian Gulf context. Objective was to evaluate socioeconomic, cultural, and psychosocial determinants of women’s satisfaction with gynecological care services in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 486 women attending gynecological services in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. Chi-square tests, Spearman correlation, and multiple linear regression identified predictors of satisfaction.

Results Most participants were Saudi (77%) and resided in urban areas (97.9%), with the majority seeking care only when necessary (71.6%) and low insurance coverage (18.1%). Overall satisfaction was high (very satisfied: 35.6%; satisfied: 39.7%), particularly regarding privacy (82.1%) and trust in gynecologists (70.6%). Satisfaction correlated positively with awareness of preventive care (rs=0.352, p<0.001), cultural sensitivity (rs=0.270, p<0.001), and comfort discussing concerns (rs=0.528, p<0.001), and negatively with waiting time (rs=−0.185, p<0.001). Saudi nationality was a significant predictor of higher satisfaction (B=0.84, p=0.004).

Conclusions Gynecological care in Al-Madinah is generally satisfactory but is influenced by socioeconomic and cultural factors. Improvements in preventive-care awareness, cultural competence, gender-concordant care, and insurance coverage may enhance quality and equity in women’s health services across Saudi Arabia.