Publication:

Factors associated with travel health engagement among international travellers in Riyadh: a clinic-based cross-sectional study 2026

Background Despite the availability of travel medicine services, engagement remains suboptimal, particularly in primary healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia. The objective was to assess travel health knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) among international travellers attending primary healthcare clinics in Riyadh and to identify factors associated with preventive engagement.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adult travellers attending primary healthcare clinics at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. KAP domains were assessed and categorized using Bloom’s cutoffs. Associations between participant characteristics and KAP outcomes were examined using univariate tests and multivariable logistic regression.

Results Participants were largely male (57.8%), with most traveling for tourism (80.5%). Preventive practices were notably suboptimal, with 66.2% classified as poor, compared with more balanced distributions in knowledge (34.0% poor) and attitude (47.0% poor). Only 38.2% of participants sought pre-travel health information. In multivariable analyses, preventive practices were strongly associated with travel to Africa (aOR, 7.69; 95% CI, 2.61–22.63) and traveling with companions (aOR, 5.61; 95% CI, 1.84–17.10). Higher education and income were significantly associated with improved knowledge, while obtaining pre-travel health information (aOR, 5.50; 95% CI, 3.05–9.92).

Conclusions Preventive practices among international travellers in Riyadh remain inadequate despite moderate knowledge levels. Engagement appears to be driven primarily by behavioural and contextual factors rather than knowledge alone. Strengthening pre-travel counselling, promoting early trip preparation, and improving access to travel health services are critical to enhancing preventive uptake and optimizing primary care–based travel medicine services.