Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran
مجله پزشکی جمهوری اسلامی ایران
Med J Islam Repub Iran
Medical Sciences
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir
2
journal2
1016-1430
2251-6840
8
10.18869/mjiri
14
8888
13
en
jalali
1397
11
1
gregorian
2019
2
1
33
1
online
1
fulltext
en
Perceived gaps in early childhood development-related health policies in Iran: Findings from a qualitative exploratory study
Health
Health
Original Research
Original Research
<strong> </strong><strong> Background: </strong>Early childhood development (ECD) refers to physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development between 0 and 8 years. The aim of this study was to identify the gaps in ECD-related upstream and health policies in Iran.<br>
<strong>Methods:</strong> This qualitative study consisted of 2 main methodologies. First, a document analysis of heath and upstream policies related to ECD in Iran was done. Second, following a purposive sampling approach, 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with policymakers, managers, academics, and service providers in the field of children health from October 2017 until June 2018 in Tehran, Iran. Also, a mixed approach was used for content and thematic analysis of the data.<br>
<strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 3 categories of gaps and weaknesses were found: (1) the inferior position of ECD in macro policies and lack of health considerations in upstream social development policies; (2) the imbalance approach to policymaking in health, lack of attention to removing inequalities, and centralized policymaking; (3) lack of effective ECD interventions and programs with regards to contextual considerations to improve children’s development, and long-standing ignorance of developmental policies for 3-8 year-old children.<br>
<strong>Conclusion: </strong>ECD is a fundamental policy approach for childhood development, which requires the policymakers’ deep insight to shift their focus from physical development to combating the shortcomings in children’s development cycle, eg, physical, mental, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual aspects. Unless policymakers change their approach to decrease nonintegrated and noncomprehensive policymaking for ECD, child development will be compromised, endangering the eventual sustainability of the society.<br>
Early childhood, Development, Health, Policy, Gaps, Weaknesses
899
905
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-4048-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Omolbanin
Atashbahar
o.atashbahar@gmail.com
200319475328460062208
200319475328460062208
No
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali
Akbari Sari
akbarisari@tums.ac.ir
200319475328460062209
200319475328460062209
Yes
Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amirhossein
Takian
takian@tums.ac.ir
200319475328460062210
200319475328460062210
No
Department of Health Management and Economics, & Department of Global Health and Public Policy, School of Public Health, & Health Equity Research Centre (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza
Alireza Olyaeemanesh
arolyaee@gmail.com
200319475328460062211
200319475328460062211
No
Health Equity Research Centre (HERC), & National Institute for Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sayyed Hamed
Barakati
barekati-h@health.gov.ir
200319475328460062212
200319475328460062212
No
Population, Family and School Health Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran