Experiences and Challenges of Persian Birth Cohort Centres During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study; [تجارب و چالش های کوهورت تولد پرشین در دوران همه گیری کووید- 19 : یک مطالعه کیفی]



Rostamimaskopaee F ; Navaeifar MR ; Hajialibeig A ; Kelishadi R ; Moosazadeh M ; Mehrparvar AH ; Mirmohammadkhani M ; Hakimi H ; Daniali SS ; Danaei N ; Tabatabaei FS ; Goodarzikhoigani M ; Pahlevanynejad S ; Rajabi Z Show All Authors
Source: Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Published:2025

Abstract

Background and purpose: Birth cohort studies collect extensive data from the preconception, pregnancy, and postnatal periods. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to many ongoing research projects, including the Persian Birth Cohort. This study aims to describe and analyse the experiences and challenges encountered by various cohort centres during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted between June and July 2023 using an electronic questionnaire. Participants included managers, supervisors, and experts from five cohort centres located in Isfahan, Yazd, Semnan, Rafsanjan, and Sari. After obtaining informed consent, basic demographic information was collected, and participants were asked to respond to open-ended questions within a two-week period. Data analysis was performed using a two-stage Delphi method and thematic analysis. The questionnaires were collected, transcribed, and coded to identify major themes. Results: Analysis of responses from 15 participants revealed four main challenges: (1) data collection, (2) human resources, (3) software, and (4) funding. The most critical issue was the disruption of data collection, which significantly influenced the research process. The findings indicated that implementing flexible mechanisms for data recording and human resource management can help maintain continuity in cohort activities, during public health emergencies. Conclusion: Despite the challenges and constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PERSIAN Birth Cohort successfully continued its work by maintaining its activities through the adoption of flexible strategies. This experience provides valuable insights into the design and management of cohort studies during public health emergencies and can inform policies aimed at strengthening the resilience of epidemiological research. Moreover, careful attention to statistical considerations and the improvement of data quality during crises is essential to preserve the consistency and validity of data across different centres. © 2025, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.