QUALITY OF LIFE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS, IN AL-AHSA, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Primary health care (PHC) physicians play a crucial role in health systems. Their quality of life (QoL) impacts service provision and patient care. Evidence on QoL among PHC doctors in Saudi Arabia is limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess QoL and associated factors among PHC physicians in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 PHC physicians working in Ministry of Health centers in Al-Ahsa. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including the WHOQOL-BREF scale and items on hypothesized QoL predictors. Descriptive analysis was conducted for QoL domain scores. ANOVA, t-tests and multiple linear regression were applied to examine variations and factors associated with overall QoL. Results: The mean physical, psychological, social and environmental QoL domain scores ranged from 63.8-65.0 out of 100. Male physicians reported higher physical domain scores compared to females (p=0.001). Regional differences were observed, with Southern province physicians having highest psychological and social relationship scores (p