Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
2019

Lived Experience of Afghan Refugees in Iran Concerning Primary Health Care Delivery (Article)

Azizi N. , Delgoshaei B.* , Aryankhesal A.
  • a Iran University of Medical Sciences, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • b Department of Health Sciences Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Rashid Yasemi St., Vali-e Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran
  • c Department of Health Sciences Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Rashid Yasemi St., Vali-e Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective:Access to primary health care (PHC) is very important for refugees. The aim of this study was to illuminate lived experience of Afghan refugees in Iran regarding PHC delivery.Methods:This qualitative study was conducted in 2016-2017 by using the content analysis technique. Data were collected through individual deep interviews with Afghan refugees who lived in Iran. The data were analyzed by using a method by Graneheim and Lundman.Results:Four main categories and 12 subcategories were emerged, including (1) challenges before PHC delivery: large number of children, high service cost, not having medical insurance, access to health centers, appointment to get services, simultaneity of breastfeeding, and pregnancy; (2) challenges during PHC delivery: understanding Iranian words, health care provider's behavior, delay in getting service in PHC centers; (3) challenges after delivery PHC: referral patient, high costs of paraclinics; and (4) free and good services.Conclusion:Our results showed that Afghan refugees have several challenges in every stage of PHC delivery. Awareness of such problems can help medical personnel improve delivery of service to Afghan refugees, as well as using trained Afghani nurses to serve the refugees. © 2019 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

Author Keywords

Primary health care Key Words: Iran Refugees Afghanistan

Index Keywords

personal experience Afghanistan refugee nurse health insurance human medical personnel Iran qualitative research Breast Feeding interview female patient referral pregnancy Article obstetric delivery awareness content analysis health center primary health care Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067202635&doi=10.1017%2fdmp.2018.169&partnerID=40&md5=dbfae4307ed588c35dc3953ddbe45c02
DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2018.169
ISSN: 19357893
Original Language: English