Experience of Behvarzes (Iranian primary healthcare providers) from giving primary health services in health houses

Mahrokh Keshvari, .; Eesa Mohammadi, .; Ziba Farajzadegan, .; Ali Zargham‑Boroujeni, .

Experience of Behvarzes (Iranian primary healthcare providers) from giving primary health services in health houses

Authors

. Mahrokh Keshvari

. Eesa Mohammadi ¹

. Ziba Farajzadegan ²

. Ali Zargham‑Boroujeni

¹ Department of Nursing, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

² Child Health Promotion Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan,

Abstract

Background: Primary healthcare (PHC) providers play a major role in provision of public health
in rural areas in Iran. They are considered as the key elements of health development in rural
population. There is limited research on clarification of their experiences from provision of health
services in their working conditions. This study aimed to clarify the experience of PHC providers
from working conditions in giving primary health services in health houses (district branches of
rural health care centers). Materials and Methods: This is a content analysis qualitative study,
conducted through personal and group interviews with 12 health workers working in health
care centers in rural areas in Isfahan province, 2010. Sampling continued until data saturation.
Data were analyzed through conventional content analysis and constant comparative method.
Results: Data analysis led to extraction of 11 categories, and finally, four themes of “ignoring
the rights,” “causing tension in working climate,” “pressure or overload of expectations beyond
the power,” and “occupational worn out” were yielded from the categories. These themes reveal
the concepts and nature of PHC providers’ experiences from giving health care at health houses
as the first level of PHC centers. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the
PHC providers work in a tense condition in health houses. Although they devote themselves
to the health of society members, their own health is neglected. Policy makers and authorities
should amend working conditions of PHC providers through modification of resources and
making supportive and collaborative strategies to improve the quality of services and promote
the health level of the service receivers.

Keywords

Health services

Iran

primary health care

qualitative research

rural health care providers

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