Table 2 Steps and process of selecting variables
Indicator selection steps | Description | Number of indicators | |
|---|---|---|---|
Step 1: Literature review | - Study period: 2000–2020 - Databases: PubMed/Medline/Scopus - Key words: Sanction*, Economic sanction*, Health*, Medicines*, Variables*, Indicators* Included criteria: Subject, year, English & Persian language | 105 | |
Step 2: Database review | We searched national and international databases, i.e. various disease registration systems, hospital and pharmaceutical resource registration systems, mortality registration systems, etc., and identified the variables and indicators with available data for the study years, both at the national and provincial level. | 50 (55 indicators were removed) | |
Step 3: Expert panel discussion | Through expert panel discussions, which included scientific advisors and members of the study team, we assessed the importance of each variable based on the study objectives and their significance for policymakers. | 28 (50 indicators were removed) | |
Number of final indicators | Macroeconomic | 3 | |
Healthcare | 6 | ||
Health outcomes | 19 | ||
Sum | 28 | ||