Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• . Maryam Saber
• . AliAkbar Haghdoost ¹
• . Mohammad-Hossein Taghdisi ²
• . Hassan Eftekhar ³
• . Hadise Safinejad ⁴
• . Ali Mehri ⁵

¹ Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences,

² Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences

³ Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

⁴ Midwifery Faculty, Kerman Branch, Department of Midwifery Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran

⁵ Department of Health Education, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Benefactors of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are the hidden public health
promotion systems. These benefactors are the symbol and intermediary of people participation, which
is one of the main arms of health promotion and reduction of poverty and injustice in the societies.
The present study is aimed to identify the benefactors’ experiences in NGOs in terms of providing
and promoting health‑oriented services.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach. The total
number of participants was 32, which consisted of 25 chief executive officers from active and inactive
organizations. Active organizations refer to organizations that submitted their 6‑month report at the
time of the investigation and whose operating license was renewed and in operation and seven
officials of the social deputy of governmental organizations related to NGOs. Data collection was
performed by using semi‑structured interviews and with purposive sampling and then continued until
data saturation. Furthermore, the content analysis method was used for data analysis. MAXQDA
software version 2007 was used to manage quality data.
RESULTS: During the data analysis, the following four subcategories were obtained: “high effort
in empathy with fellow human beings,” “role of merit in the success of donors,” “creating a platform
for social attention for the client’s spontaneity,” and “respect of the client,” which were the results of
experience and dimensions. The performance of non‑governmental organizations is in line with the
confrontation and responsibility of non‑governmental organizations with a focus on health‑oriented
services.
CONCLUSION: Having benevolent motives, benefactors attempt to provide conditions, in which help
seekers have more chance for living through establishing new, sustainable, and future‑reassuring
conditions.

Keywords

• Health promotion
• health‑oriented services
• nongovernmental organizations
• organizational citizenship