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AbstractStrengthening countries' policies to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) relies on their policymaking processes. This study aimed to create a deep understanding of these processes through evaluating preventive and control policies of CVD in Iran, using Walt and Gilson's policy analysis triangle framework to analyze the policymaking process qualitatively. Data were collected using various methods such as reviewing international and national documents and interviewing experts; the framework analysis method was used to analyze the data. Findings were reported in four dimensions of the policy analysis triangle, including content, context, process, and actors. Various social, economic, environmental, and political factors affect the policy's development. Prevention plans emphasize inter‐ and intrasectorial collaborations and require community‐based interventions. Achieving universal health coverage and global attention to the prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has put CVD prevention on the agenda in Iran. In addition, the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of NCDs has been compiled with the participation of all ministries. An Iranian Non‐Communicable Diseases Committee has also been established, reflecting the national effort to control CVD. Although Iran has taken important steps to control and prevent CVD, the incidence of CVD is still increasing. Comprehensive action plans should be implemented with extensive intrasectorial cooperation and a clear framework to achieve the desired goals.

This study aimed to analyze the current policies of common gastrointestinal cancer prevention. This qualitative instrumental case study was conducted in 2019 to analyze policies using the "policy triangle framework." Two data collection methods were used: document review and semistructured interviews. The country's related documents were searched through databases. Semistructured interviews were conducted at the interviewee's workplace. In total, 22 participants were interviewed, 12 of whom were from the Ministry of Health. Interviews and documents were analyzed using directed content analysis in MAXQDA v10 software. Interobserver reliability, peer check, and member check were done to confirm the trustworthiness of data. The main contextual factors affecting gastrointestinal cancers in Iran were socioeconomic, structural, political, and legal factors. Content of gastrointestinal cancer prevention in the national policies were mostly about lifestyle changes, food security, and environmental conditions. Efforts for cancer prevention policymaking in Iran starts in 1984 with a top‐down approach to the implementation and three types of evaluation. Stakeholders of gastrointestinal cancer prevention policies in Iran were categorized into three groups of governmental, nongovernmental, and semigovernmental organizations. Coordination among different organizations should be strengthened through setting common goals and creating a shared vision, and finally, political leadership should be realized by the Ministry of Health.

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: HIV is a social phenomenon whose investigating needs to take culture, traditions, and religious beliefs of the society into account. Given that, the aim of this study is examining the role of religion in policies made to control AIDS in Iran.Method: This qualitative study adopted the content analysis technique with inductive approach in which 30 policymakers, key informants, stakeholders and AIDS patients were given semi-structured interviews and also 21 documents on related policies were analyzed considering factors influencing AIDS policymaking. Then, the data were analyzed using framework method and MAXQDA. In this study, the ethical issues were all considered and the authors declared no conflict of interest.Results: After coding, approximately 300 primary codes were extracted. These codes were checked again and then categorized into three areas: the functions of religion and its preventive and encouraging factors in the related policies; different roles of the clergy as religious authorities, politicians and advisors; and the way religious institutes and organizations play their roles in AIDS policymaking process.Conclusion: Religion and its corresponding ideology have critical encouraging and preventive functions in implementing plans for control and prevention of AIDS. Neglecting religious aspects of the Iranian society in policymaking has led to less effectiveness of policies and failure in controlling AIDS.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.

BACKGROUND: The total fertility rate (TFR) in the Middle East and North Africa has experienced a declining trend in recent years. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to provide a clear picture of the most critical factors affecting the TFR decline in this region. METHODS: This study was a systematic review between the years 2000 and 2016. The different databases like Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct and the Google Scholar search engine were used. At first, 270 articles and then 18 articles were selected and meticulously read for the final analysis. RESULTS: The results indicated a declining trend in the TFR in the Middle East and North Africa, as in other parts of the world. Regarding the causes of this declining trend, several factors were identified and categorized into five main factors of health care-related, cultural, economic, social, and political. CONCLUSIONS: While taking advantage of the experiences, it is necessary to identify the five main factors and their related issues and hence consider them in the population policy-making.

Background: Medical tourism is a relatively new concept where patients travel to a foreign destination to obtain quality medical treatments which much better or comparable and also available at a significantly lower cost. Though, a number of literature available with regard to the tourism industry and the competitiveness of the destination for medical tourists are hardly focused specifically in Northwest Iran.Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the competitive status of East Azerbaijan province medical tourism industry.Materials and Method: It was a qualitative study which conducted in-depth interviews with 15 key stakeholders of the tourism industry in East Azerbaijan Province (North-West of Iran). Purposive sampling technique was used and the data analyzed by using framework analysis based on Porter's diamond model.Results: In the factory conditions, there are 8 sub-themes such as political and ideological attitudes, similarities of language, culture, restrictions on communication skills, and tourist attractions. In the demand conditions, there is fame of the physicians and the waiting time for receiving medical treatment. In the strategy for structure and rivalry, 7 sub-themes are included such as lack of hospitals approved by JCI, affordability of medical and tourism service prices, inefficient advertising system, and the strengthening medical tourism infrastructure in neighboring countries. Others regarding with supporting industries are poor tourism infrastructure, inadequate support of private sector, poor transfer of medical tourists, and Visa facilitation services.Conclusion: Long-term planning and involvement of private sector in strengthening the tourism infrastructure should be put at agenda in terms of making province's medical tourism policy.