Measurement of Health Insurance Literacy and Willingness to Participate in the National Health Insurance Scheme Among Saudis, in Al-Jouf Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) aim for a more equitable healthcare system. Public participation and health insurance literacy (HIL) are vital for its success, yet underserved areas like Al-Jouf lack research on these factors. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 408 adult Saudi citizens from public health clinics in Al-Jouf. A structured questionnaire assessed demographics, HIL, confidence in choosing (CCI), comparing (CCP), utilizing insurance (CUI), proactive behavior (PBS), and willingness to enroll in NHIS. Correlational analyses were performed using Spearman's correlation and multinomial logistic regression. Among participants, predominantly men (82.11%) aged 41 to 50 (21.81%), only 15.93% were enrolled in health insurance. Social media was the primary information source, and HIL scores were low to moderate. Significant correlations were observed between income and PBS (p = 0.015) and CCI (p = 0.021). Higher HIL and confidence positively influenced willingness to participate. The study underscores the gap between awareness and enrollment in NHIS, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions, particularly for low-income and unemployed individuals.