. Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani; . Vahid Yazdi‑Feyzabadi; . Noora Rafiee; . Sara Ghasemi
Volume 12, Issue 5 , June 2022, , Pages 1-10
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease‑2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic can aggravate the healthproblems in slum areas. The present study intends to examine the challenges of health protection ...
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BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease‑2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic can aggravate the healthproblems in slum areas. The present study intends to examine the challenges of health protection ofslum’s residences during the COVID‑19 pandemic with the Social Determinants of Health perspective,in Kerman city in Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a qualitative content analysis. Data werecollected by purposeful sampling in‑depth and semi‑structured interviews with 16 people. Theinterviews were conducted (from October to December 2020) with the local representatives of theslum’s residents, health‑care workers, managers of facilitation offices, and welfare social servicecenters that are located in slum areas (Interview’s guide is attached). The textual material fromthe interviews was entered into the MAXQDA software and directed content analysis was used toanalyze the data.RESULTS: Data analysis led to the identification of 4 categories (Sociocultural, Situational,Economical, and Physical environment) and 12 subcategories: Sociocultural: lack of awareness,begging culture, low trust in disease control programs, low bottom‑up planning, and increasingviolence; Situational: decreasing donors’ activities and canceling important meetings; Economical:unemployment, decreasing in income, and increasing limitations of many institutions in providingresources; and Physical environment: inadequate space and inappropriate conditions in some housesand alleys for people protection against Corona viruses.CONCLUSIONS: Slum residents have faced many challenges during the COVID‑19 pandemic.These challenges can affect the health of slum and other urban dwellers. Multidisciplinary thinkingand actions are needed. Increase awareness and engagement slum residents in control diseaseprograms should be considered.