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Soma Mohammadi-Sarab1 
, Masoumeh Sadeghipour Roudsari2 , Yadollah Mehrabi3 , Parisa Taheri Tanjani *4 , Ariana Shadrokh5
, Masoumeh Sadeghipour Roudsari2 , Yadollah Mehrabi3 , Parisa Taheri Tanjani *4 , Ariana Shadrokh5
1- School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Internal Medicine, Taleghani Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,Dr_parisa_taheri@yahoo.com
5- Faculty of Science, York University, Toronto, Canada.
2- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Internal Medicine, Taleghani Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,
5- Faculty of Science, York University, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract: (16 Views)
Aims: Given the growing aging trend in Iran and the key role of Comprehensive Health Service Centers as the first point of contact for individuals with the health system, this study aims to evaluate the structural alignment of these centers with the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for age-friendly health systems.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in February and March 2025, included all Comprehensive Health Service Centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Data were collected using two standard World Health Organization (WHO, 2008) audit checklists – “PHC access audit checklist” and “PHC signage audit checklist”, whose Persian versions had previously demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. Data were obtained through direct observation and checklist completion and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: In this study, 50 Health Service Centers were evaluated. More than half of the centers were multi-story, and only 12% of them had an elevator. In terms of accessibility, all centers had access to public transportation; however, only 40% of entrances had appropriate ramps, and protective railings were available in less than half of the centers. Emergency exits were identifiable in only 28% of centers, and suitable parking was reported in 18%. Restrooms were available in most centers, yet facilities such as grab bars (2%) and emergency alert systems (0%) were almost absent. Internally, most centers had adequate lighting and ventilation, non-slip floors, and legible signage, but only 12% had additional wheelchairs. Regarding wayfinding, nearly all centers had clear and comprehensible signs, but only 28% % provided building direction, and none were equipped with Braille signage.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that although some structural indicators of Health Service Centers are satisfactory, there are significant gaps in entrances, restrooms, and signage. Addressing these deficiencies through infrastructure adaptations and the development of national guidelines could be an effective step toward enhancing accessibility, safety, and quality of care for older adults.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in February and March 2025, included all Comprehensive Health Service Centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Data were collected using two standard World Health Organization (WHO, 2008) audit checklists – “PHC access audit checklist” and “PHC signage audit checklist”, whose Persian versions had previously demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. Data were obtained through direct observation and checklist completion and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: In this study, 50 Health Service Centers were evaluated. More than half of the centers were multi-story, and only 12% of them had an elevator. In terms of accessibility, all centers had access to public transportation; however, only 40% of entrances had appropriate ramps, and protective railings were available in less than half of the centers. Emergency exits were identifiable in only 28% of centers, and suitable parking was reported in 18%. Restrooms were available in most centers, yet facilities such as grab bars (2%) and emergency alert systems (0%) were almost absent. Internally, most centers had adequate lighting and ventilation, non-slip floors, and legible signage, but only 12% had additional wheelchairs. Regarding wayfinding, nearly all centers had clear and comprehensible signs, but only 28% % provided building direction, and none were equipped with Braille signage.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that although some structural indicators of Health Service Centers are satisfactory, there are significant gaps in entrances, restrooms, and signage. Addressing these deficiencies through infrastructure adaptations and the development of national guidelines could be an effective step toward enhancing accessibility, safety, and quality of care for older adults.
Keywords: Aged, Comprehensive Health Service Centers, Primary Health Care, Accessibility, Environmental Adaptation, Health Facility Environment
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