Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
12-20-2025
Year of Publication
2024
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Nursing
Department/School/Program
Nursing
Advisor
Dr. Terry Lennie
Abstract
Diabetes has reached an epidemic level in Saudi Arabia with a prevalence of 19%. Saudi Arabia currently spends more than $7 billion on diabetes-related health care per year. Type 2 diabetes is preceded by a prediabetes state during which preventative measures can prevent or delay diabetes onset. Blood glucose screening is a method of identifying people with prediabetes. Encouraging people to engage in blood glucose screening will identify those who will benefit from diabetes prevention strategies. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the knowledge, health beliefs, and perceived barriers and facilitators regarding engaging in blood glucose screenings among Saudi adults. Chapter 1 is an introduction with a discussion of a background of blood glucose screening in Saudi Arabia. Chapter 2 is a description of the Health Belief Model, which is the conceptual framework that guided both the semi-structured interview and the interpretation of the results. Chapter 3 is a description of the methods used to collect and analyze the data. The sample included 13 males, and 13 females aged 40 to 60 years old who do not have diabetes and had not engaged in blood glucose screening. Thematic analysis was performed to identify themes from the transcribed interviews. Chapter 4 presents the results of the study. The themes and sub-themes with quotes as exemplars of each theme are provided. The participants had at least some knowledge of blood glucose screening. Barriers to screening were lack of awareness due to health information gap, lack of time due to professional and family responsibilities, and fear of being diagnosed with diabetes. Health beliefs for not undergoing screening were no need because of no family history of diabetes, no recommendation from health care providers, and following a healthy lifestyle. Facilitators for engaging in blood glucose screening included health professionals’ endorsement, positive interactions with healthcare providers and staff, increased awareness, ability to discuss the results using telehealth, and ease time off from job. Chapter 5 is the discussion of the results. The Health Belief Model is used to structure the interpretation and implications of the findings. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are also provided. We identified factors that influence Saudi adults’ engagement in glucose screening. These findings can be used to develop interventions that address these factors to promote screening among Saudis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.510
Recommended Citation
Alsada, Fatema, "HEALTH BELIEFS, FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO ENGAGING IN BLOOD GLUCOSE SCREENING OF ADULTS IN SAUDI ARABIA" (2024). Theses and Dissertations--Nursing. 72.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/nursing_etds/72
