Performance Assessment of Provincial Health and Food Security Workgroups in Iran

Population health promotion، determined by socio-economic factors، needs inter-sectoral collaboration. The Provincial Health and Food Security Workgroups (PHFSWs) have been established as an authority for policy making، planning and coordinating the inter-sectoral health interventions at local levels. This study aimed to assess the performance of these workgroups in Iran. This cross-sectional study examined the viewpoints of experts working in the deputies of health at the universities who had experiences with the PHFSWs at local levels. The structure and function and agenda (October 2011 to September 2012) of the workgroups were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions. The quantitative data were analyzed in the Excel using the descriptive statistics. The qualitative data were extracted using simple content analysis. The Provincial Planning and Development Council Bylaw was considered as the baseline for performance judgment. The f requency and discipline of the meetings، participation and involvement of members، management of the meetings، communication of workgroups، and addressing to the health equity and social determinants of health approach in decision making were not appropriate. About half of the universities showed a low performance in this regard. Furthermore، content assessment showed that only a limited part of issues were approached by the social determinant of health based interventions. The PHFSWs are considered as a potential capacity for inter-sectoral collaboration at local levels. Hence، it is expected that national and local policy makers and authorities apply proper interventions for performance standardization of these workgroups as emphasized on empowerment، establishing the common language and understanding، applying proper mechanisms for decision making and enforcement and addressing the health equity and the social determinants of health approach.