A Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Khezr Neighborhood in Hamedan, Iran: Identifying Key Issues for 2024
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Promoting community health is a key priority for enhancing societal well-being. Every health system has the responsibility to address the health challenges faced by communities and must engage in proper planning to resolve priority issues within the scope of available resources. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Khezr region of Hamadan in 2024, aiming at identifying and prioritizing the problems and needs of the region through direct community participation using the North Carolina model. Methods: To this end, the region’s issues were identified through focus group discussions, interviews with residents, questionnaires, consultations with local experts, and discussions with some local officials. The criteria for prioritizing these issues included the severity of the problem, its potential consequences, the feasibility of resolution, and the urgency of addressing the issue. Results: This study enrolled 124 participants, with a mean age of 40.22 years. The Khezr region faced challenges in health services (30.6% dissatisfaction), safety (43.5% unsafe), and economic conditions (84.7% low-income impact). Major health issues included diabetes (89.5%) and high cholesterol (83.1%). Moreover, notable social concerns were poverty, unemployment, and addiction, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Conclusion: The problems identified and prioritized in this study span across cultural, social, and economic dimensions, not just health-related concerns. Poverty and unemployment were highlighted as critical issues with significant consequences, requiring both the support of local authorities and the active engagement of the community for effective resolution.
DOI: 10.34172/jech.3326
Authors: Sanaz Omidi, Mansour Salehpour, Reza Bigdeli, Zahra Yazdanian, Parham Mohammadi, Mehdi Mousavi, Saber Ghaffari, Abouzar Raeisvandi, Younes Mohammadi
Institution: Hamedan University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410212778