Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi - Assistant Professor in Health Policy Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran- Department of Health Management, Policy and Economics, Faculty of Management and
Mohammad Bazyar - Assistant Professor in Health Policy Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Sara Ghasemi - PhD Candidate in Health Policy Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran- Department of Health Management, Policy and Economics, Faculty of Management and Me

Background: District Health Network (DHN) as one of the most successful health reforms in Iran, was launched in ۱۹۸۵ for the provision of PHC, in response to health problems and health inequities in Iran. The present study aims to use interrelated elements of ideas, interests, and institutions (۳i framework) to explain retrospectively how (DHN) policy in Iran, as a developing country, was initiated and formed.Methods: A historical narrative approach with a case study perspective was employed to focus on the formation and framing process of DHN. For this purpose, interests, ideas, institutions (۳i), and Network Analysis frameworks were used. This study was carried out in three main steps: collecting data from secondary sources (published research evidence, reports, documents, news media, presentations, and books), analyzing and interpreting the data using a hybrid approach, and presenting results in a defined format.Results: Previous experiences and evidence and social beliefs and discourses formed as a result of the of Iranian Revolution in ۱۹۷۹ and Iraq-Iran War (ideas), policy network between the main actors with similar tight-knit beliefs and experiences (interests), and laws and organizational structures (institutions) were interconnected factors that formed the DHN in Iran. The findings also showed that ideas with the concept of values, beliefs, and discourses greatly impacted this policy's formation.Conclusions: Alignment of laws, structures, and interests of the main actors of a policy with the ideas and values that govern society, especially in crisis times, can be a positive step towards the successful formation of that policy.

Primary health care; ‘Interests, Ideas, and Institutions framework’; ‘Network Analysis Framework’; District Health Network (DHN)