Understanding Interpersonal Influences on the Use of Formal Health Services among a Population of Iranian Women in Reproductive Age: A Qualitative Study.

backgroundOne of the most important factors contributing to using formal health care services by women is people who are involved in the social network around them.

aimThis study aimed to understand the interpersonal influences on the use of formal health services among Iranian women of reproductive age.

methodsThis study is a deductive content analysis approach based on the Health Promotion Model. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were done with women of reproductive age and health care staffs in Qom, Iran. Transcripts were analysed by a deductive content analysis approach based on the Health Promotion Model (HPM).

resultsThree main categories and eight subcategories were drawn consisting of (1) social support with 4 subcategories including "Family support and influence", "support of religious people", "support of health care providers" and "negative social support"; (2) social pressure and expectations with 2 subcategories including "feeling pressure due to role-playing" and "society's expectations regarding women's health", and (3) healthy role models with 2 subcategories including "family role models" and "modeling friends and peers in taking action for treatment".

conclusionA positive interpersonal influence in women acts as a strong incentive to seek health care when they are suffering from a disease, and prevents the chronicity of the disease by timely treatment.