Exploring Mental Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors Among Health Care Providers: A National Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Naif Z Alrashdi¹Riyaz Ahamed Shaik^2*Mohammad Shakil Ahmad²Bader Alrasheadi³Tariq H Alotaibi⁴Ibrahim Z Alrashedy⁵Sarah Bajuaifer⁶Sadiya Ahmad⁷Khlooud Awad Alrashidi⁸Nora A. Althumiri⁹Nasser F BinDhim¹⁰

• ¹Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, Majmaah University, Al Majma'ah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• ²Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Majmaah Universit, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
• ³College of Nursing, Majmaah University, 11952, Saudi Arabia, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁴Department of Medical Specialities, College of Medicine, Majmaah Universit, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁵Alartawya General Hospital, Al Artawiyah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁶Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and rehabilitation sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• ⁷School of psychology, sports and sensory sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
• ⁸Nursing Technician, King Khaled Majmaah Hospital, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁹Informed Decision Making, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• ¹⁰Sharik Association for Research and Studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: This study aims to assess the level of mental health literacy (MHL) among healthcare providers working in different healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia and to examine how socio-demographic factors such as gender, education, age, and personal exposure to mental health conditions associate with MHL.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used a computer-assisted telephone interview.The study followed a previously validated methodology, ensuring consistency and comparability for future studies. Interviewers were trained to adhere to the interview guidelines and data collection that were streamlined using the ZDataCloud system. Participants aged 18 years and above and from 13 administrative different regions in Saudi Arabia were included and informed consent was obtained verbally from all participants. Data collection included healthcare worker demographics, mental health history, and familiarity with mental health issues. The Arabic MHL scale was used to assess participants' knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders. MHL scale has been validated in the population in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating strong reliability and validity.The study revealed that female healthcare providers had significantly higher MHL scores in mental health recognition (females=8.7±1.2, males=7.2±1.5; p<0.001) and attitudes (females=9.3±1.1, males=7.8±1.4; p<0.001) compared to males. Healthcare providers with a Bachelor's degree or higher exhibited higher score in mental health recognition (8.9 ± 1.3 vs.7.1 ± 1.6; p< 0.001) and information-seeking (8.4 ± 1.4 vs. 7.2 ± 1.5; p = 0.003) compared to lower level of education. Younger participants (20-29 years old) showed more positive attitudes (p= 0.011), while those exposed to mental illness (p= 0.001) and higher-income earners (p= 0.040) demonstrated higher overall MHL.