Is Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis Effective in Preventing and Controlling Coronavirus Disease-19? A qualitative study

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) management requires continuous monitoring and evaluation based on various methods and models. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis in preventing and controlling the COVID-19. Methods: This study was conducted using directed qualitative content analysis. A total of 15 participants, including 9 patients with COVID-19, a physician, a pharmacist, the head of the department of infectious diseases, a hospital manager, a nurse, and the head of a health center were selected through purposive sampling from May to July 2020. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis method. Results: The analysis of the data revealed four main categories including the strengths (use of various media, supporting ideals), weaknesses) low understanding of disease risk, lack of vaccines, lack of appropriate tele-education and tele-medicine programs, infrastructural constraints), opportunities (people’s participation, family support, compliance with regulations), and threats (sanctions and poor control, the conflict between doubt and certainty, hidden layers of the disease, corona and social stigma). The internal and external analysis was determined as the main theme. Conclusion: The results suggest that it is necessary to make optimal use of the strengths and opportunities of the COVID-19 crisis and to develop participation and empathy among people in addition to complying with laws and making appropriate use of educational media. In this regard, the strengthening of tele-education infrastructure and transparency in presenting reports and methods for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 can be effective.