Developing an Intervention Guidelines for Social Health Promotion Based on the Social Capital Theory

Introduction: Social capital can influence social health so it is essential to consider their interaction for health promotion. Guidelines for applying social capital theory in social health promotion programs will help practitioners to intervene step by step and make sure that all components of social capital theory will consider in health promotion programs. This article presents the results of a study related to the development of intervention guidelines in local communities for social health promotion based on the social capital theory.  Methods: To develop a guideline, first, a systematic review of social intervention studies in the field of social health and social capital between 2000-2018 was conducted, then, based on the review of studies, the draft of the guideline was prepared, and presented to focus group meetings. After receiving the opinions of experts and informed managers and selected experts and facilitators of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in three independent group meetings; the final guideline of the intervention was developed. Results: The developed intervention guideline includes: definitions of main concepts; specifications of intervention practitioners; target groups, establishing inter-sectoral coordination and justification of officials; evaluating and selecting a community, entering the community, social mobilization, forming local groups and steering committees, and justifying committee members, planning and implementing local projects, finding support and leave the community; following the process and continue the activities and provide the necessary consultations, and finally, the method of participatory documentation and reporting. Conclusions: Social health promotion guidelines will be beneficial for applying in communities. Participation of community members especially vulnerable ones will be essential to improve social health. Practitioners and facilitators should use a community-based approach to exploit the guidelines. Social health promotion guidelines based on social capital theory highly recommend capacity building and utilizing the community assets. To study the effectiveness o