Social Determinants of Health from the Perspective of Women with Thalassemia: A Qualitative Study

In recent years, social determinants of health have received much attention from researchers in the social sciences. One of the major problems of the health sector in developing countries is the unequal distribution of health which leads to inequalities in social status and living conditions of people. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the social determinants of health from the perspective of women with the Thalassemia disease. This study is a qualitative and thematic analysis. Participants in the study were 24 women with Thalassemia disease. The sampling method was purposeful. To collect qualitative data observation and participation, semi-structured interviews and study of the documents were used. For data analysis, thematic analysis and Wolcott method were used. Social determinants of health from the perspective of women with thalassemia included economic factors (lack of interest-free banking facilities, health expenditure), social factors (inequality in employment), cultural factors (lack of awareness in society) and health factors (inefficient health services). If the needs of disadvantaged people, women, and patients in the design and management of the health system be considered, health system performance would be desirable.