Applying participatory approach to study zoonoses in an EcoZD
EcoHealth framework: experiences and lessons learned Ecosystem Approaches to the Better Management
of Zoonotic Emerging Infectious Diseases
from case studies in South Vietnam in the Southeast Asia Region
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
• 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.
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.
Acknowledgements References
We thank the local people of Tan Binh and Trung Hoa Communes (Tien Giang) and 1. Chamber, Robert 1994. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA): Analysis of Experience. Word development, 22 (9), 1253-1268
2. Coker RJ, Hunter BM, Rudge JW, Liverani M, Hanvoravongchai P. 2001. Emerging infectious diseases in southeast Asia: Regional
Dong Tien and Loc Hiep (Binh Phuoc), the Sub-DAHs and Departments of challenges to control. The lancet 37:599-609.
Preventive Medicine in Tien Giang and Binh Phuoc for their active participation 3. David Waltner-Toews, James J. Kay and Nina-Marie Lister. 2008. The ecosystem approach: complexity, uncertainty, and managing
for sustainability. Columbia University press.
during PRA exercises. 4. David Waltner-Toew. 2004. Ecosystem sustainability and health: A practical approach. Cambridge University press
This research was supported by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) 5. Resource center on urban agriculture and forestry (RUAF). 2004. PRA tool for studying. Urban Agriculture and Gender