Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge for all countries. Iran is exposed to a wide range of natural and human-made hazards due to its geographical location. Therefore, preparedness is essential for a successful response to pandemics. In this study, the state of preparedness against COVID-19 in Iran was investigated.
Methods: This study is of an applied and analytical type. Qualitative data were collected using grounded theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 individuals with a background in health management in accidents and disasters, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and passive defense. Participants were selected purposively. Qualitative data were analyzed using the continuous comparison method, and a conceptual model of national preparedness against epidemics in Iran was designed.
Results: Causal factors affecting preparedness were prerequisites, leadership, planning system, and promoters. Resilience, health system infrastructure, political situation, local situation, and nature of the disease were categorized as essential factors and adaptive and maladaptive strategies were categorized into action/interaction strategies. Consequences included social empathy, improved infrastructure, community dissatisfaction, increased psychosocial harms, reduced health system credibility, and environmental consequences.
Conclusion: The resulting framework showed that for preparedness, laws and structures need to be reformed and long-term planning should be carried out with a community-based, all-hazards and One Health approach. Information and communication management should be improved to promote community participation. Strengthening surveillance systems, establishing a single chain of command, using expert ideas and improving resilience are essential. In addition, it is possible to provide an appropriate response to future pandemics by preventing arbitrary and unscientific measures.