Background: Cervical cancer has become a major public health problem worldwide. Iran, like other developing countries, is facing a number of challenges in managing the disease. This qualitative study documents challenges encountered in cervical cancer preventing programs in Iran. Materials and Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 participants including eleven patients with cervical cancer, three gynecologic oncologists, five specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, five midwives, three health care managers and one epidemiologist in Mashhad Iran, between May and December of 2012. The sample was selected purposively until data saturation was achieved. Data credibility verified via allocated sufficient time for data collection, using member checking and peer debriefing. Data analysis was carried out using conventional content analysis approach with ATLAS. ti software. Results: Findings from data analysis demonstrated 2 major themes and 6 categories about challenges of providing cervical cancer prevention programs including: individual and social challenges (cognitive/behavioral challenges and socio/cultural challenges) and health system challenges (stewardship, financing, competency of health care providers and access to services). Each category included some subcategories. Conclusions: Managing the cervical cancer prevention programs need to include the consideration of individuals, health care providers and health system challenges. Addressing the low level of knowledge, negative attitudes, socio cultural challenges, Poor intersectional collaboration and coordination and intra-sectional management, financing and competency of health care providers are essential steps toward significantly reducing the burdens of cervical cancer.

Background: Although cervical cancer is preventable and early screening might decrease the associated mortality, challenges faced by the women and health care providers can postpone early detection. This qualitative study aimed to establish patient and provider perceptions about personal and socio-cultural barriers for cervical cancer screening in Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: In the present study, which was conducted in 2012, eighteen participants, who were selected purposefully, participated in individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using conventional content analysis and Atlas-Ti software. Results: One theme and two categories were derived from data including: cognitive/behavioral factors (lack of a community-based approach to cervical cancer, lack of awareness, wrong attitude and lack of health seeking behaviors) and socio/cultural issues (socio-cultural invasion, mismatch between tradition, modernity and religious, extra marital relationships and cultural taboos). Conclusions: Providing community based approach education programs and employing social policy are needed for preventing of cervical cancer in Iran.

IntroductionDespite the beginnings of preconception care (PCC) delivery around a decade ago in Iran, there are still significant gaps in its service delivery. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of women as well as midwives toward gaps in PCC delivery in the Iranian reproductive health care system.MethodsIn this exploratory qualitative study, 27 married women and 13 midwives were recruited using purposive sampling from five health centers in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran. Respondents participated in semi-structured, in-depth, individual and focus-group interviews to express their perceptions and experiences about gaps in PCC. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis adopted by of Graneheim and Lundman (2004) with MAXQDA software.ResultsAnalysis of data revealed four themes: 1) missing men and adolescents from PCC; 2) insufficient PCC package; 3) inadequate PCC strategies; and 4) health care providers’ incompetency.ConclusionIt is recommended to deliver gender-sensitive PCC through addressing couples’ instead of just women’s PCC and to take into account the adolescent girls’ health in order to improve their preconception health. Standardization of protocols and attention of health professionals toward occupational–environmental hazards and sexual and reproductive issues as well as enhancing professional capability of health care providers could improve PCC service delivery.

Purpose: Although preconception care (PCC) has been integrated into women’s care programmes in the country for more than a decade, it has not yet been welcomed by Iranian women, and the rate of PCC uptake is very low. Therefore, this study aims to determine predictors of uptake of PCC based on the Beliefs, Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model among women of reproductive age referred to health centres in Urmia, Northwest Iran, in 2019. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 230 women of childbearing age at Urmia health centres during 2019. Subjects were selected using a multistage sampling method. A valid reliable researcher-made questionnaire, including demographic information, items related to the BASNEF model constructs regarding PCC and items related to PCC behaviour, was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (frequencies, means and standard deviations, independent t-test, chi-square test, logistic and linear regression). Results: The findings showed that the rate of receiving PCC was 19.6%. Overall, the BASNEF model predicted 42% of the intention to receive health care. Among the model constructs, enabling factors (β=0.32, p<0.001) and attitude (β=0.41, p<0.001) significantly explained women’s behavioural intention towards receiving PCC. In the logistic regression model, intention (β=0.15, p<0.001) and enabling factors (β=0.12, p=0.034) had a significant role in predicting PCC. Conclusion: The low uptake of PCC by women of childbearing age in Urmia suggests the need to design and implement interventions based on women’s attitudes, intentions and enabling factors in order to stimulate and maintain women’s health-promoting behaviours during childbearing age.