title: Meanings of Health for Iranian Diabetic Patients: A qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health is an exclusive and subjective phenomenon, and one of the most important situations with regard to perception of health, arises when patients suffer from a chronic disease. This study was conducted within the qualitative research framework and aimed to explore the meanings of health as perceived by a group of Iranian diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive qualitative analysis design was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants among diabetic patients, who were admitted to the diabetes care centre of Tohid Hospital of the Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran during a ten-month period in 2014. Interviews were transcribed and analysed through conventional content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the findings of the study, three major health-related themes emerged: 1) the syndrome of the healthy body and the happy heart (physical well-being vivacity, satisfaction, and calmness of the mind), 2) life without compulsory limitations (lack of dietary limitations, No activity limitations, lack of social limitations), and 3) exalted spirituality (satisfying self and others, trusting God, remembering God).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health care providers should consider the meaning of health in special groups, chiefly in patients with chronic diseases. It facilitates the development of appropriate programmes to improve desirable health levels among diabetic patients.
authors: MSN, Lecturer and Faculty Member, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors: Golrokh
authors: G
authors: Moridi
authors: Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Health and Care Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors: Sina
authors: S
authors: Valiee
authors: Ph.D., Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Alireza Nikbakht
authors: AN
authors: Nasrabadi
authors: Student in Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors: Golnaz Esmaeil
authors: GE
authors: Nasab
authors: MSN, Lecturer and Faculty Member, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
authors: Shahnaz
authors: S
authors: Khaledi
keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Health; Nursing; Qualitative Research