The Impact of Health Awareness and Access to Primary Healthcare on Preventive Health Behavior among Adults in Pakistan

Abstract

Preventive health behavior is a key determinant of population health and an essential component of disease prevention strategies in Pakistan. This study explores how health awareness and access to primary healthcare shape preventive health behavior among adults. Health awareness is conceptualized as individuals’ understanding of disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and basic hygiene, while access to primary healthcare reflects the availability and ease of obtaining essential health services. Preventive health behavior is examined through practices such as timely vaccination, routine health checkups, and adherence to hygienic measures. Adopting a cross-sectional approach, the study analyzes the relationships between these factors to identify their relative influence on preventive practices. The findings indicate that greater health awareness and improved access to primary healthcare are strongly associated with more consistent engagement in preventive behaviors. The results suggest that efforts to improve adult health outcomes should prioritize public health education alongside strengthening primary healthcare systems. Addressing both knowledge and access barriers may contribute to sustainable improvements in preventive health practices and reduce avoidable disease burden in Pakistan