| Background: One of the mos important concerns after disasers is managing their health
consequences. This sudy examines the experiences of Primary Healthcare Workers (PHCWs)
who involved in managing the health effects of the Arasbaran twin earthquakes of Augus
2012.
Materials and Methods: This sudy was conducted using a qualitative approach. Data were
collected through semi-sructured deep interviews. The collected data were analyzed by content
analysis using the code extraction of subthemes and themes. Study participants included health
managers, healthcare workers, and individuals who received the health services in response to
the health effects of the Arasbaran twin earthquakes. A total number of 16 participants were
interviewed. The sudy sample was selected purposefully.
Results: Interview analysis provided 14 subthemes and fve main themes, including the lack
of preparedness, the challenges of the PHCWs’ contributions in providing healthcare, the
inessentiality of the PHCWs’ involvement in health response, the continuity of healthcare by
the PHCWs, and the facilitation of coordination.
Conclusion: The involvement of the PHCWs in managing the health effects of the earthquakes
was a successful experience that could prevent health problems. Challenges faced during this
experience were mainly caused by the lack of preparedness |