Preparedness challenges of the Iranian health system for dust and sand storms: A qualitative study
نویسندگان
1 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), H1, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Alfred Nobels Allé 23 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
4 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
doi
چکیده
BACKGROUND: The dust and sand storms (DSS) in Iran increased in recent years, which havecaused adverse health effects. Regarding the effects of DSS on the health indicators, the healthsystem plays a key role based on the mission and the services which it provides. The present studywas conducted, in Iran, to fill the existing knowledge gap and to understand the preparednesschallenges of the health system in response to the DSS.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty‑one semi‑structured interviews, in 2016–2017, wereundertaken. This study carried out using purposeful sampling with key informants in the KhuzestanProvince, national policymakers in Tehran, as well as people affected by this phenomenon.A qualitative approach, using the conventional content analysis, was employed to analyze thecollected data.RESULTS: Four main categories that appear to explain the preparedness challenges of the healthsystem for DSS include the risk assessment, knowledge management, organizational elements, aswell as monitoring and evaluation.CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative that policymakers of the country pay special attention to the hazardrisk understanding and managing the various aspects of the beliefs and attitudes associated withDSS. The development of early warning system, regular drills and exercises, as well as public andspecialized health promotion training related to this phenomenon are suggested.
