Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Healthcare Services Management, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
2 Department of Healthcare Services Management, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Low birth rates and the aging population are considered important challenges for the future of Iran. The implementation of the Family and Youth Protection Law began in 2024 in response to this situation. The current research aimed to employ a SWOT model to assess Iran's youth policy.
Methods: The study was conducted using a qualitative method in 2024. Participants included 19 health system managers and policymakers from northern Iran with at least five years of management experience. Semi-structured interviews and a purposeful approach were used to gather data, followed by snowball sampling until data saturation was achieved. Then, the interview transcripts were analyzed through identification of meaning units, coding, and classification based on similarities and patterns. Ultimately, themes were identified and subjected to content analysis.
Results: Thirteen major themes and thirty-nine sub-themes were derived from the examination of the experiences of the participants. The major themes included: Ministry of Health support; development of medical and health services; development of applied research as infrastructural strengths and limitations; limitations of program content; lack of transparency of supervision as societal positives and weaknesses; government support as an opportunity and ineffective policy; ambiguity in policymaking; and lifestyle change as a threat.
Conclusion: Iran's youth population policy faces significant obstacles at the executive, economic, and lifestyle levels of the people, despite structural support and cultural-religious capabilities. Thus, the most crucial conditions for the successful implementation of this policy include reevaluating the executive structure, enhancing oversight and monitoring, engaging the public, and developing multi-tiered incentives.
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