Applying participatory approach to study zoonoses in an

EcoHealth framework: experiences and lessons learned

from case studies in South Vietnam

Duong Nguyen Khang1, Nguyen Ngoc Thuy1, Nguyen Van Khanh1, Le Hong Phong2, Tran Cong Kha3, Dang Trinh Minh Anh3, Nguyen Quoc Huy3,

Van Cao3, Ma. Lucila Lapar4, Gilbert Jeffrey4 and Mai Van Hiep3

1Nong Lam University, 2Department of Animal Health, 3Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City, 4International Livestock Research Intitute

Introduction Livestock production is the main activity in agricultural production of almost all communities in

Vietnam especially where the agricultural cultivation area is limited. Nevertheless, livestock

production and marketing are now encountering a range of problems, especially the emergence of

zoonotic diseases.

The overall objective is to study the zoonosis and other emerging infectious diseases using an

EcoHealth framework.

The Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was used to enable local communities to assess their

social and economic conditions, especially their farming practices, as well as ecological aspects

related to risk factors of zoonoses. The PRA tools were applied to help the communities to assess

the prevalence of zoonoses, and, together with researchers, local officials and commune para-

veterinarians to prioritize zoonotic infectious diseases. These activities were also intended to help

the communities to propose solutions for the prevention of zoonoses.

Methodology and Approach

Research sites: The selection of study sites was based on the retrospective study conducted in early October 2011. The four selected communes

were: Tan Binh (Cai Lay District) and Trung Hoa (Cho Gao District) belonging to Tien Giang province; and Dong Tien (Dong Phu District) and Loc Hiep

(Loc Ninh District) in Binh Phuoc province. Finally, a unique hamlet in each of these communes was randomly selected for the PRA study.

The PRA process: A PRA team was identified from the staff of three institutions including DAH, NLU and IPS to carry out the PRA exercises at the

selected study sites. A 5-day training course for the staff and local communities involved in the study was conducted at class room level followed by

field work at a representative study site.

PRA tools/techniques: In order to generate the required information the following tools were used: Commune history, Trend line, Hamlet map,

Transect walk, Crop calendar, Direct ranking, SWOT, Problem tree and Venn diagram. The study teams were separated into sub-teams for doing the

tasks related to each PRA tool. The techniques used to collect information from the localities were: Key Informant Interview and Focus Group

Discussion. The information was generated from the diverse interviews with local farmers, heads of villages, animal health workers, district

veterinarians, health workers, and representatives of women’s and youth associations.

Findings and Analysis

Conclusions and Suggestions It is very important for the local communities to actively participate in the study of zoonoses in an integrative approach to the management of

zoonotic diseases in an EcoHealth Framework. The PRA results are useful for providing broader understanding of socio-ecological context of

disease incidence. Based on PRA results and in combination with the results of retrospective study, cross-sectional surveys have been designed to

further investigate the prevalence and risk factors of leptospirosis in selected areas in the Southern provinces of Vietnam.

EcoZD Ecosystem Approaches to the Better Management

of Zoonotic Emerging Infectious Diseases

in the Southeast Asia Region

• The history of the communities, demographic characteristics, animal population and density, farming systems in

the highland areas were found to be different from those in the lowland areas.

• The results showed that risk factors for zoonoses are likely to emanate from differences in geographical and

social conditions in the communities.

• Scale of production, presence/absence of slaughterhouses and markets, and vaccination practices were

identified as risk factors and ranked according to their importance by local people and commune veterinarians.

• Analysis of the village map that was drawn based on the transect walk also indicated the potential role of

slope/terrain as a risk factor for disease spread.

• Using ranking and scoring tools, the villagers also prioritized zoonotic diseases they considered to be important.

• Venn diagram analysis also revealed varying perceptions by local communities of the role of social institutions in

management and control of zoonoses.

• This bottom-up identification of priority zoonoses could be compared with the priorities identified through a top-

down approach in order to see where overlaps or inconsistencies exist.

Acknowledgements

We thank the local people of Tan Binh and Trung Hoa Communes (Tien Giang) and

Dong Tien and Loc Hiep (Binh Phuoc), the Sub-DAHs and Departments of

Preventive Medicine in Tien Giang and Binh Phuoc for their active participation

during PRA exercises.

This research was supported by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

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2. Coker RJ, Hunter BM, Rudge JW, Liverani M, Hanvoravongchai P. 2001. Emerging infectious diseases in southeast Asia: Regional

challenges to control. The lancet 37:599-609.

3. David Waltner-Toews, James J. Kay and Nina-Marie Lister. 2008. The ecosystem approach: complexity, uncertainty, and managing

for sustainability. Columbia University press.

4. David Waltner-Toew. 2004. Ecosystem sustainability and health: A practical approach. Cambridge University press

5. Resource center on urban agriculture and forestry (RUAF). 2004. PRA tool for studying. Urban Agriculture and Gender