The Experiences of Mobile Populations About Malaria Control in Southeastern Iran Using the PEN-3 Cultural Model: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: Although malaria is in the elimination phase in Iran, cases imported from Afghanistan and Pakistan as malaria-endemic regions is challenging. Therefore, the present study investigates the experiences of mobile populations about malaria control in Southeastern Iran. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in October 2015. Participant selection was purposive and criteria-based, and a total of 70 migrants and mobile population were selected from Sistan and Baluchistan province, southeast of Iran. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with all of the participants using ten guide questions based on the concepts of the PEN-3 model to examine the views and experiences of the participants about malaria during their travels. The PEN-3 model emphasizes the culture of preventive behaviors or health-promoting behaviors. Content analysis was used for data analysis. Results: According to the PEN-3 model, the most important cultural impediments were the false beliefs about the usefulness of herbal medicines for the treatment of the disease (negative perception), the wrong attitude of being protected from the disease due to holding certain jobs (negative perception), the belief in destiny and God's will with respect to the incidence of diseases (negative enabler), and eating native plants for the prevention of the disease (existential nurturer). Conclusions: Malaria prevention program should focus on the cultural characteristics of immigrants for effective interventions to control malaria.