Understanding Interpersonal Influences on the Use of Formal Health Services among a Population of Iranian Women in Reproductive Age: A Qualitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.301Keywords:
Interpersonal Relations, Reproductive health, Health care, Qualitative research, WomenAbstract
BACKGROUND: One of the most important factors contributing to using formal health care services by women is people who are involved in the social network around them.
AIM: This study aimed to understand the interpersonal influences on the use of formal health services among Iranian women of reproductive age.
METHODS: This study is a deductive content analysis approach based on the Health Promotion Model. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were done with women of reproductive age and health care staffs in Qom, Iran. Transcripts were analysed by a deductive content analysis approach based on the Health Promotion Model (HPM).
RESULTS: Three main categories and eight subcategories were drawn consisting of (1) social support with 4 subcategories including “Family support and influenceâ€, “support of religious peopleâ€, “support of health care providers†and “negative social supportâ€; (2) social pressure and expectations with 2 subcategories including “feeling pressure due to role-playing†and “society's expectations regarding women's healthâ€, and (3) healthy role models with 2 subcategories including “family role models†and “modeling friends and peers in taking action for treatmentâ€.
CONCLUSION: A positive interpersonal influence in women acts as a strong incentive to seek health care when they are suffering from a disease, and prevents the chronicity of the disease by timely treatment.
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Copyright (c) 2019 Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad, Tahereh Rahimi, Tahmineh Farajkhoda, Hossein Fallah Zadeh
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