# A qualitative study on operational challenges of Iranian affiliated mobile health clinics in Iraq during Arbaeen

## TL;DR

This study explores the challenges faced by Iranian-affiliated mobile health clinics in Iraq during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, focusing on infrastructure, diseases, and pilgrim-related issues.

## Contribution

The study provides a qualitative analysis of operational challenges in mobile clinics during a large religious gathering, offering insights for improving healthcare delivery.

## Key findings

- Challenges were categorized into infrastructure, diseases and treatment, and pilgrim-related issues.
- Nine subcategories were identified, including human resources, physical space, and medication-related issues.
- Effective planning and coordination before, during, and after the event can improve service quality.

## Abstract

Every year, between 17 and 20 million individuals participate in a religious pilgrimage called Arbaeen in Iraq. Providing healthcare services during this large gathering can pose various challenges. This study aimed to elucidate the challenges involved in delivering healthcare services in Iranian-affiliated mobile clinics based in Iraq during the Arbaeen ceremony from the Perspective of Healthcare Providers. In this qualitative study, 19 healthcare providers working in mobile clinics participated through purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Data collection continued until saturation. The content analysis method was employed for data analysis, using MAXQDA software (version 2020). The challenges faced by mobile healthcare service providers during the Arbaeen were categorized into three main categories: infrastructure, diseases and treatment and pilgrims. Within these categories, nine subcategories were identified: human resources, physical space, capital medical equipment, medications and medical supplies, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, inadequate understanding of potential hazards by pilgrims, physical disabilities of some pilgrims and medication-related issues. Planning and coordination at three levels: before, during, and after the Arbaeen, in the areas of infrastructure (human resources and physical resources), prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, procurement of drugs and medical supplies, and health education for pilgrims through various channels, as well as intra- and inter-sectorial coordination, can contribute to the effective improvement of service quality.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-22820-7.