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Overcoming Barriers to Service Delivery in Disasters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2025

Mohammad Hossein Panahi
Affiliation:
Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, https://ror.org/034m2b326 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, https://ror.org/034m2b326 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
Pirhossein Kolivand
Affiliation:
Department of Health Economics, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
Narjes Nikpey
Affiliation:
PhD student of Health Education and Health Promotion, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Zahra Poudineh
Affiliation:
PhD student of Health Education and Health Promotion, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Negin Nayerloo
Affiliation:
PhD student of Health Education and Health Promotion, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Ali Delpisheh*
Affiliation:
Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, https://ror.org/034m2b326 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, https://ror.org/034m2b326 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran Research Center for Health Management in Mass Gathering, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Mehrdad Farrokhi
Affiliation:
Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, https://ror.org/034m2b326 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, https://ror.org/034m2b326 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Ali Delpisheh; Email: alidelpisheh@yahoo.com

Abstract

Background

The increasing frequency and severity of unexpected events in recent years underscore the need for more effective disaster management strategies. This study aimed to identify obstacles and solutions for serving affected groups, providing practical strategies for improved disaster response.

Methodology

This qualitative content analysis study of the conventional type, conducted in 2024, involved semi-structured face-to-face interviews and a focused group discussion with 17 participants, including university experts, executive bodies, and affected individuals. The method of “Granheim and Lundman” was used to analyze the data, and “Lincoln and Guba’s” four criteria were used to establish the reliability of the data.

Results

A total of 348 themes were identified, ultimately refined to 245 themes after repetition analysis. These themes were categorized into eight main categories: “Management, Financial and Non-Financial Resources, Programs, Educational Affairs, Organizational Matters, Community Affairs, Participation, and Spiritual Affairs.” Additionally, 29 subcategories were extracted.

Conclusion

This study reveals key obstacles in disaster service delivery, including inadequate management, resources, and coordination. Solutions such as enhancing communication, clarifying roles, and promoting community participation can address these challenges. Strengthening public education, updating regulations, and integrating local cultural and spiritual support systems are essential for improving crisis response.

Information

Type
Original Research
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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