Nasrollahpour Shirvani SD¹ (PhD), Jafari N² (PhD), Nahimi Tabihi M³ (MD), Mikaniki E¹ (MD), Ashrafian Amiri H¹ (MD), Kabir MJ⁴ * (PhD), Rahimi Colamroodi H⁵ (MD), Tahmasbi B⁶ (PhD)

  ¹ Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

  ² Department of Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

  ³ Vice-Chancellery for Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

  ⁴ Health Management & Social Determinants Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

  ⁵ Vice-Chancellery for Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

  ⁶ Nursing Management Dep., School of Nursing, ^{Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran}

  ^{Original Article}

  ^{Received: 20 Jan 2014, Accepted: 27 Aug 2014}

  ^Abstract

  ^{Introduction: Participation of people and local organizations can be achieved by activities of the Board of Trustees and health volunteers. This study was conducted to evaluate the participation rate of local organizations in health centers performing rural insurance and family physician program in the Northern provinces of Iran.}

  ^{Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the second half of 2012. Twenty five per cent of health centers performing family physician program in three provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran, and Gillan (139 centers out of 552 ones) were selected randomly from certain clusters of the study. In each selected center, participation rate of local organizations were evaluated. A validity and reliable researcher-made questionnaire was used for data gathering. Data were analyzed in the SPSS-18 with significant level of p<0.05.}

  ^{Results: Fifty seven health centers out of 139 ones (41%) had established a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees establishment was more in the Northern provinces (p=0.001). In 61 health centers (43.9%), health volunteers were employed with a more significant employment rate in the Northern provinces (p=0.001). The mean request rate of health homes and health centers from local organizations to take part in health problem solving were 2.7 ± 1.6 and 1.7 ± 1.3 times, respectively. The request rate for providing resources and facilities in performing health interventions were 1.8 ± 1.3 and 1.1 ± 1.0 times, respectively and the request rate for participation in formal meetings were 3.1 ± 1.7 and 1.9 ± 1.3, respectively. The request rates of health homes for providing resources and participation in formal meetings were significantly different in the provinces (p=0.009 and p=0.005, respectively).}

  ^{Conclusion: This study showed that a large number of health centers did not follow community participation measurements. Interventional programs should be planned and conducted to improve community participation in health centers.}

  ^{Key words: local organizations, intersectoral cooperation, intersectoral participation, family physician, rural insurance}

  ^{Please cite this article as follows:}

  ^{Nasrollahpour Shirvani SD, Jafari N, Nahimi Tabihi M, Mikaniki E, Ashrafian Amiri H, Kabir MJ, et al. Participation of Local Organizations in Health Centers Performing Rural Insurance and Family Physician Program in Northern Provinces of Iran. Hakim Health Sys Res 2014 17(2): 169- 176.}

  ^{* Corresponding Author: Health Management & Social Determinants Research Center, first Golbarg St. Gorgan, Iran. Tel: +98- 171- 3260330, +98- 912- 2989680, E-mail: Kabirmj63@yahoo.com}