Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, including in Malaysia. Periodic medical examination, also known as routine health screening, supports early identification of risk factors and asymptomatic diseases, thereby reducing complications and healthcare costs. Healthcare professionals are viewed as health role models; their personal preventive practices strongly influence patient counseling and public health behavior. However, many studies report inconsistencies between their knowledge, positive attitudes, and actual implementation of health screening. Although international guidelines such as USPSTF are available, local data on PME uptake among Malaysian healthcare workers remain limited. This study assessed KAP regarding PME and explored associated factors to support evidence‑based preventive strategies.

This cross‑sectional study was conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (HCTM–UKMMC) from April 2019 to January 2020. Participants were permanent healthcare professionals with at least one year of working experience. Simple random sampling was used, and data were collected via online Google Forms and paper‑based questionnaires. The validated instrument included four sections: sociodemographic characteristics, PME knowledge (6 dichotomous items), attitudes (10‑item 5‑point Likert scale), and self‑reported practice (frequency in the past 12 months). Good knowledge was defined as a score ≥ 4, positive attitude as score ≥ 25, and frequent practice as screening within the past year. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 with chi‑square test for bivariate associations and binary logistic regression for multivariate analysis.

A total of 317 healthcare professionals were included. The median age was 34 years, 73.2% were female, 88.6% were Malay, and 34.4% were doctors. Most respondents (77.0%) were physically inactive, and only 3.2% were smokers.

Overall, 80.1% (254/317) demonstrated good knowledge of PME. Doctors had the highest proportion of good knowledge (92.7%), followed by pharmacists (78.6%), allied health professionals (74.7%), and nurses (71.7%). Higher education, doctor occupation, monthly income > RM 5000, and frequent PME practice were significantly associated with good knowledge (all P < 0.05).

Nearly all participants (99.4%, 315/317) held positive attitudes toward PME. Only two respondents (0.6%) showed negative attitudes, both among doctors. No significant association was found between attitude and gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, education, occupation, or income. However, participants with no chronic medical history had significantly more positive attitudes (P = 0.004).

Only 35.7% (113/317) practiced PME frequently. Frequent uptake was higher among doctors (44.0%), those aged ≥ 40 years (48.8%), ever‑married individuals (39.7%), those with income > RM 5000 (42.9%), and those with good knowledge (39.4%). In multivariate analysis, unmarried status and poor PME knowledgeremained independent predictors of lower likelihood of frequent PME practice.

This study confirms a high level of PME knowledge and overwhelmingly positive attitudes among Malaysian healthcare professionals, consistent with international findings. However, only approximately one‑third engaged in frequent health screening, revealing a substantial knowledge–practice gap. This discrepancy may be explained by heavy workload, long working hours, time constraints, and low priority for personal health.

Marital status was a significant predictor: married individuals were more likely to undergo regular screening, possibly due to spousal support and family health awareness. Poor knowledge also reduced screening frequency, underscoring the need for continuous and structured PME education. Doctors showed better knowledge and practice than nurses and allied health workers, likely reflecting differences in training and clinical exposure.

These findings highlight the need for institutional and national interventions. Workplace screening programs, flexible scheduling, and simplified PME pathways can reduce barriers. Strengthening PME literacy and encouraging screening among unmarried younger healthcare workers may improve overall uptake.

This study was conducted at a single tertiary hospital, which limits generalizability. The cross‑sectional design cannot establish causality. Response bias may exist as health‑conscious individuals were more likely to participate.

Healthcare professionals in this Malaysian tertiary hospital have excellent PME knowledge and positive attitudes but low frequent practice. Unmarried status and poor knowledge are key barriers to regular screening. Improving PME education, implementing institutional support systems, and launching national preventive policies can enhance regular health screening and help reduce the NCD burden in Malaysia.