Profile of Occupational Health Services in Iran: A Mixed-Methods Study with a Focus on Service Coverage and Interventions

Introduction: This study aimed to profile Iran’s occupational health services and identify the challenges and implementation strategies, focusing on the coverage of these services and interventions. Material and Methods: This mixed-method research utilized a triangulation approach to generate qualitative data through document reviews from international organizations such as the WHO and ILO, examinations of national occupational health systems, laws and regulations, previous studies, and interviews. Quantitative data were collected from a national portal using a standard inspection checklist and secondary data from the National Statistics Center. Qualitative data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive content analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The occupational health services profile for Iran comprised 45 indicators across 9 areas and 6 types. The coverage of inspection services for identified workplaces and workers was 93% and 92%, respectively. However, the estimated coverage of inspection services for all existing workplaces and workers was only 39% and 15%. Among the included workplaces, access to full health facilities was at 48%, while occupational exposure control was at 18%. For the covered workers, the coverage rates for occupational medical examinations, occupational health training, and utilization of personal protective equipment were 58%, 63%, and 66%, respectively. Conclusion: The key intervention for improving service coverage and stability—aside from inspections, which are governed—lies in outsourcing services to various providers. This approach involves removing existing barriers and enhancing service provision for small workshops. Additionally, redesigning occupational health services should focus on modifying educational curricula, research, and implementation programs, emphasizing the economic aspects of controls, and prioritizing low-cost and effective measures, especially in small workplaces.