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Strategies and experiences for sand and dust storm adaptation: A qualitative study in Iran

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Abstract

Background and Purpose

Sand and Dust storms (SDS) are meteorological hazards that are increasing due to climate change. Mitigation and adaptation are two main strategies that help to deal with this global concern. In the recent decades, Iran has been prone to SDS. Therefore, this study was conducted in 2018 in order to explore the SDS adaptation experiences and strategies in the Iranian community.

Methods

Using content analysis approach and purposive sampling, three groups (including 14 experts, 8 authorities, and 23 individuals) were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method. Finally, Gaba and Lincoln’s scientific criteria were used for data validity.

Results

Two major categories emerged from the analysis. The first category was related to the adaptation experiences and included two subcategories: “citizens’ experiences” and “experts’/ authorities’ experiences”. The second was related to SDS adaptation strategies and included five subcategories: “educational development”, “public participation”, “inter-sectorial coordination”, “institutional development”, and “environment preservation”.

Conclusions

Identifying the experiences and strategies that are implemented by a community to adapt to SDS is the core stone for developing a comprehensive local and national adaptation plan. This study suggests strategies and action plans for SDS adaptation that can be used in policy making.

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Data availability

This study was a qualitative research and interview was done and the results were provided. The data are available anonymously.

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Acknowledgements

This paper is a part of my Ph.D. dissertation in the department of Health in Emergencies and Disaster in Tehran University of Medical Sciences which is carried out after approval of ethics committee of research council of the university and obtaining written consent. The research team appreciates the sincere participation of Ahvaz people, experts, and authorities.

Funding

This research was a part of a Ph.D. dissertation in School of Public Health/ Tehran University of Medical Sciences University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Shiva Salehi

  2. Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Ghods Ave., Poursina Ave, Tehran, Iran

    Shiva Salehi, Ali Ardalan & Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh

  3. Center for Air Pollution Research, Institute for Environmental Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Shiva Salehi, Ali Ardalan & Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh

  4. Department of Public Health, School of Nursing, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Armin Zareiyan

  5. Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Gholamreza Garmaroudi

  6. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Abbas Rahimiforoushani

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  1. Shiva Salehi
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Contributions

Sh. S. conceived the study, collected the data, drafted the manuscript, designed the figure and tables, performed the interviews, and analyzed the data.

A. A. supervised the research, conceived of the presented idea, and discussed the results.

A.O. supervised the research, aided in the analysis of the interviews, conceived of the presented idea, discussed the results, and finalized the manuscript.

A.Z. supervised the research developed the framework, aided in interpreting the results, and commented on the results.

Gh. G. supervised the research, and discussed the results.

A.R. supervised the research, and discussed the results.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

This study received the ethical approval of research (IR.TUMS.SPH.REC.1396.4171) by Tehran University of Medical Sciences was confirmed.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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All interviews were conducted with the consent of the participants. 

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All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission in this journal.

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Salehi, S., Ardalan, A., Ostadtaghizadeh, A. et al. Strategies and experiences for sand and dust storm adaptation: A qualitative study in Iran. J Environ Health Sci Engineer 19, 1753–1763 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-021-00730-w

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