Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Department of Health Management, Policy and Economics, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Department of Health Services Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Department of Health Management, Policy and Economics, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease‑2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic can aggravate the health
problems in slum areas. The present study intends to examine the challenges of health protection of
slum’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 were
collected by purposeful sampling in‑depth and semi‑structured interviews with 16 people. The
interviews were conducted (from October to December 2020) with the local representatives of the
slum’s residents, health‑care workers, managers of facilitation offices, and welfare social service
centers that are located in slum areas (Interview’s guide is attached). The textual material from
the interviews was entered into the MAXQDA software and directed content analysis was used to
analyze 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 increasing
violence; Situational: decreasing donors’ activities and canceling important meetings; Economical:
unemployment, decreasing in income, and increasing limitations of many institutions in providing
resources; and Physical environment: inadequate space and inappropriate conditions in some houses
and 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 thinking
and actions are needed. Increase awareness and engagement slum residents in control disease
programs should be considered.
Keywords
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