A health service package for residents of informal settlements: A developing country

Abstract

ABSTRACT The residents of informal settlements lack sufficient access to health services. This has been threatening everyaspect of their lives for years. The aim of the current study was to design a health services package for the residents of such informalsettlements in Iran. This was a qualitative study conducted in 2021 in multiple stages. The needs identified in the previous study wereprovided to experts to reach an agreement by the Delphi method. The expert panel was then used to design a service packageproportional to the health needs of informal settlement residents. Experts agreed on 40 identified health needs, classified incontagious and non-communicable diseases, female health mental and social health and addiction, environmental health, and othercategories. The health service package included five main dimensions: care related to (1) social supports and mental health, (2) economic supports, (3) empowering the community, (4) environmental health, and (5) prevention and health level improvement. A total of 43 services were proposed in this package to improve the health status in such settlements. Informal settlements face multiple diversehealth problems. A multi-dimensional plan is necessary to address identified needs, requiring intersectoral cooperation betweeninvolved organizations and stakeholders.