title: A Qualitative Study of Community-based Health Programs in Iran: An Experience of Participation in I.R. Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community-based health programs (CBHPs) with participatory approaches has been recognized as an important tool in health promotion. The goal of this study was to understand the nature of participation practice in CBHP and to use the data to advocate for more participation-friendly policies in the community, academy and funding organizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this qualitative study, 13 CBHPs, which were active for last 5 years have been assessed using semi-structural in-depth interviews with programs principal and managers and focus group discussions with volunteers and service users. Data analysis was based on the deductive-inductive content analysis considering the participatory approaches in these programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that, the main category of participation was divided to community participation and intersectional collaboration. The community participation level was very different from "main," "advisory" or "supporting" level. The process of recruitment of volunteers by the governmental organization was centralized and in non-governmental organizations was quite different. According to respondents opinion, financial and spiritual incentives especially tangible rewards, e.g., learning skills or capacity building were useful for engaging and maintaining volunteers' participation. For intersectional collaboration, strong and dedicated partners, supportive policy environment are critical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that maintaining partnership in CBHP takes considerable time, financial support, knowledge development and capacity building.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Social Determinant of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Monir Baradaran
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Eftekhari
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Social Determinant of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirabzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ameneh Setareh
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Forouzan
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dejman
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein Malek
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Afzali
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Djalalinia
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Niloofar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peykari
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Payam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roshanfekr
keywords: Community-based health programs; Iran; content analysis; participation