Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health

Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health

The Role of Iran's Health System on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Narrative Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Bibi Leila Hoseini 1
Khadijeh Mirzaeii Najmabadi 2
Robab Latifnejad Roudsari 2
1 PhD Student of Reproductive Health, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 a) Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/jmrh.2023.71201.2088
Abstract
Background & aim: Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs) are essential for ensuring women's health. To achieve these rights, health system support and the governmental legislations are needed. So, this study aimed to review the role of Iran's health system to support SRHRs.
Methods: This narrative review was conducted based on the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). Studies that assessed the role of Iran's health system to support SRHRs were retrieved by searching Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Iranian databases of SID, IranMedex, and Magiran with MeSH terms and their Persian equivalent keywords up to April 2024. Legal documents were also searched on the websites of the Ministry of Health and the Parliament of Islamic Republic of Iran.  
Results: Out of 559 retrieved studies, 12 studies, one report, four booklets, six legal articles and three acts were included in this review. The results showed that the approaches implemented by health system as well as the bills compiled by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament), which require the Ministry of Health to achieve SRHRs, have caused Iran's Ministry of Health to support nearly all SRHRs, especially the right to life and survival. However, some shortcomings remain.
Conclusion: Iran's Ministry of Health has played a substantial role in supporting SRHRs. However, some SRHRs are not completely implemented by executive organizations. So, it is recommended to draw policy-makers’ attention to SRHRs as well as ensure more robust executive guarantees for some legislations related to SRHRs.
Keywords
Health Care System
Reproductive Health Services Reproductive Health
Reproductive Rights
Iran
Subjects
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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 5152-5163