Lived Experience of Afghan Refugees in Iran Concerning Primary Health Care Delivery.

Abstract

Access to primary health care (PHC) is very important for refugees. The aim of this study was to illuminate lived experience of Afghan refugees in Iran regarding PHC delivery. This qualitative study was conducted in 2016-2017 by using the content analysis technique. Data were collected through individual deep interviews with Afghan refugees who lived in Iran. The data were analyzed by using a method by Graneheim and Lundman. Four main categories and 12 subcategories were emerged, including (1) challenges before PHC delivery: large number of children, high service cost, not having medical insurance, access to health centers, appointment to get services, simultaneity of breastfeeding, and pregnancy; (2) challenges during PHC delivery: understanding Iranian words, health care provider's behavior, delay in getting service in PHC centers; (3) challenges after delivery PHC: referral patient, high costs of paraclinics; and (4) free and good services. Our results showed that Afghan refugees have several challenges in every stage of PHC delivery. Awareness of such problems can help medical personnel improve delivery of service to Afghan refugees, as well as using trained Afghani nurses to serve the refugees.