Transdisciplinarity / Transdisciplinarité

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Os desafios da geração do conhecimento em saúde ambiental : uma perspectiva ecossistêmica
(Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva (ABRASCO), 2013-05) Weihs, Marla; Mertens, Frédéric
O artigo explora as oportunidades e as limitações da geração de conhecimento no campo da saúde ambiental. Argumenta que a compreensão da complexidade dos fatores que condicionam a saúde humana e dos ecossistemas demanda redefinições na tradicional distribuição de papéis e responsabilidades na pesquisa científica. Estas práticas de pesquisa encerram enfoques inter e transdisciplinares e a aplicação de uma abordagem ecossistêmica (ecosaúde). Desafios e oportunidades da aplicação da inter e transdisciplinaridade a problemáticas de saúde ambiental são discutidos e ilustrados por meio de dois estudos de caso que utilizam uma abordagem ecosaúde: uma experiência brasileira que trata da contaminação e exposição ao mercúrio na Amazônia, e outra nepalense, sobre a transmissão urbana de equinococose. Concluímos apresentando o potencial de uma abordagem ecosaúde na superação dos limites das práticas unidisciplinares e na valorização dos saberes e da participação local.
Final technical report : a Canadian community of practice in ecosystem approaches to health with a training and awards program for ecohealth research in international and development settings, January 2008 – June 2012
(CoPEH-Canada, 2012-09) Webb, Jena; Saint‐Charles, Johanne; Parkes, Margot; Morrison, Karen; Lemire, Melanie; Woollard, Robert
Researchers and institutions across Canada have identified a need for consolidation and commitment to ensure long‐term development and capacity in the field of Ecohealth. As such, a main activity of the Community of Practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Health (CoPEH‐Can) is to collectively design and deliver a short-course that will promote and support research, education, policy and practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health to provide training to qualified graduate awardees under the proposed Canadian Ecohealth Graduate Training Awards Program. Consortium partners aim to establish this short‐course as an accredited graduate course, potentially complemented by a distance‐learning component.
Final technical report for “Ecohealth Toolkit - Pilot for Teaching Manual”, August 2010 – April 2012
(Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 2012-04) McCullagh, Suzanne; Morrison, Karen
The Canadian Community of Practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Health (CoPEH-Canada) team has experience teaching Ecohealth which they drew from and developed in the design of the Ecohealth Short Course (2008 – 2011). The teaching manual captures some of the key elements of those courses in a series of modules to assist Ecohealth educators in the delivery of Ecohealth courses, workshops, or seminars. They are easily modifiable and adaptable to different contexts as they are designed in a scalable, modular structure (Appendix 5). This report includes activities and methodology in developing the Ecohealth courses. Information is in English, French and Spanish.
Origins of house reinfestation with Triatoma infestans after insecticide spraying in the Argentine Chaco using wing geometric morphometry
(Elsevier, 2013-03) Gaspe, M. Sol; Gurevitz, Juan M.; Gürtler, Ricardo E.; Dujardin, Jean-Pierre
Identifying the origins of insect vectors collected after community-wide residual insecticide applications is a relevant challenge in the Gran Chaco region where the main vector of Chagas disease Triatoma infe- stans usually reinfests human dwellings. Wing geometric morphometry was used to compare the right wings of males and females collected at 4 months post-spraying (MPS) with those from males and females collected before full-coverage spraying with pyrethroids in a well-defined rural area in Northeastern Argentina. Male and female wing centroid size resulted significantly larger at 4 MPS than before interventions, but no significant changes in shape were detected. Metric disparity (variance of 30 shape) varied significantly in males but not in females. Using shape variables, a relatively large fraction of post-spraying males (70%) and females (54%) could not be differentiated from those collected at the same source house or at the nearest infested house before interventions. Bugs collected at 4 and 8 MPS in a persistently infested house were mainly assigned to the source house. These results support the hypothesis of persistent bug populations that survived the insecticide application at local spatial scales, and are consistent with the occurrence of vector control failures most likely related to moderate pyrethroid resistance. Wing geometric morphometry is a useful tool for identifying sources of reinfestation, but it is limited by the spatial structure found in the reference populations. Combined with field and genetic data, this approach may contribute to the understanding of the reinfestation process and improvement of vector control strategies.
Spatial heterogeneity and risk maps of community infestation by Triatoma infestans in rural Northwestern Argentina
(Public Library of Science, 2012-08) Vazquez-Prokopec, Gonzalo M.; Spillmann, Cynthia; Zaidenberg, Mario; Gürtler, Ricardo E.; Kitron, Uriel
Background: Fifty years of residual insecticide spraying to control Triatoma infestans in the Gran Chaco region of northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia shows that vertically coordinated interventions aiming at full coverage have limited effects and are unsustainable. We quantified the spatial distribution of T. infestans domestic infestation at the district level, identified environmental factors associated with high infestation and then explored the usefulness of risk maps for the spatial stratification of interventions. Methods and Findings: We performed spatial analyses of house infestation data collected by the National Chagas Service in Moreno Department, northern Argentina (1999–2002). Clusters of high domestic infestation occurred in the southwestern extreme of the district. A multi-model selection approach showed that domestic infestation clustered in areas of low elevation, with few farmlands, high density of rural houses, high mean maximum land surface temperature, large NDVI, and high percentage of degraded and deforested lands. The best model classified 98.4% of the communities in the training dataset (sensitivity, 93.3%; specificity, 95.4%). The risk map evidenced that the high-risk area only encompassed 16% of the district. By building a network-based transportation model we assessed the operational costs of spatially contiguous and spatially targeted interventions. Targeting clusters of high infestation would have reached ,80% of all communities slated for full-coverage insecticide spraying, reducing in half the total time and economic cost incurred by a spatially contiguous strategy. Conclusions and Significance: In disperse rural areas where control programs can accomplish limited coverage, consideration of infestation hot spots can contribute to the design and execution of cost-effective interventions against Chagas disease vectors. If field validated, targeted vertical control in high risk areas and horizontal control in medium to low risk areas may provide both a logistically and economically feasible alternative to blanket vertical insecticide spraying when resources are limited.
Sylvatic transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in a rural area in the humid Chaco of Argentina
(Elsevier, 2012-06) Alvarado-Otegui, Julian; Ceballos, L.A.; Orozco, M.M.; Enriquez, G.F.; Cardinal, M.V.
Little is known about the sylvatic transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Gran Chaco ecoregion. We conducted surveys to identify the main sylvatic hosts of T. cruzi, parasite discrete typing units and vector species involved in Pampa del Indio, a rural area in the humid Argentinean Chaco. A total of 44 mammals from 14 species were captured and examined for infection by xenodiagnosis and polymerase chain reaction amplification of the hyper-variable region of kinetoplast DNA minicircles of T. cruzi (kDNAPCR). Ten (22.7%) mammals were positive by xenodiagnosis or kDNA-PCR. Four of 11 (36%) Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossums) and six of nine (67%) Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillos) were positive by xenodiagnosis and or kDNA-PCR. Rodents, other armadillo species, felids, crab-eating raccoons, hares and rabbits were not infected. Positive animals were highly infectious to the bugs that fed upon them as determined by xenodiagnosis. All positive opossums were infected with T. cruzi I and all positive nine-banded armadillos with T. cruzi III. Extensive searches in sylvatic habitats using 718 Noireau trap-nights only yielded Triatoma sordida whereas no bug was collected in 26 light-trap nights. Four armadillos or opossums fitted with a spool-and-line device were successfully tracked to their refuges; only one Panstrongylus geniculatus was found in an armadillo burrow. No sylvatic triatomine was infected with T. cruzi by microscopical examination or kDNA-PCR. Our results indicate that two independent sylvatic transmission cycles of T. cruzi occur in the humid Chaco. The putative vectors of both cycles need to be identified conclusively.
Discrete typing units of Trypanosoma cruzi identified in rural dogs and cats in the humid Argentinean Chaco
(Cambridge University Press, 2012-10) Enriquez, G.F.; Cardinal, M.V.; Orozco, M.M.; Lanati, L.; Schijman, A.G.; Gürtler, R.E.
The discrete typing units (DTUs) of Trypanosoma cruzi that infect domestic dogs and cats have rarely been studied.With this purpose we conducted a cross-sectional xenodiagnostic survey of dog and cat populations residing in 2 infested rural villages in Pampa del Indio, in the humid Argentine Chaco. Parasites were isolated by culture from 44 dogs and 12 cats with a positive xenodiagnosis. DTUs were identified from parasite culture samples using a strategy based on multiple polymerase-chain reactions. TcVI was identified in 37 of 44 dogs and in 10 of 12 cats, whereas TcV was identified in 5 dogs and in 2 cats –a new finding for cats. No mixed infections were detected. The occurrence of 2 dogs infected with TcIII – classically found in armadillos– suggests a probable link with the local sylvatic transmission cycle involving Dasypus novemcinctus armadillos and a potential risk of human infection with TcIII. Our study reinforces the importance of dogs and cats as domestic reservoir hosts and sources of various DTUs infecting humans, and suggests a link between dogs and the sylvatic transmission cycle of TcIII.
Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in naturally infected dogs and cats using serological, parasitological and molecular methods
(Elsevier, 2013-03) Enriquez, G.F.; Cardinal, M.V.; Orozco, M.M.; Schijman, A.G.; Gürtler, R.E.
Domestic dogs and cats are major domestic reservoir hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi and a risk factor for parasite transmission. In this study we assessed the relative performance of a polymerase chain reaction assay targeted to minicircle DNA (kDNA-PCR) in reference to conventional serological tests, a rapid dipstick test and xenodiagnosis to detect T. cruzi infection in dogs and cats from an endemic rural area in northeastern Argentina. A total of 43 dogs and 13 cats seropositive for T. cruzi by an immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), which had been examined by xenodiagnosis, were also tested by kDNA-PCR. kDNA-PCR was nearly as sensitive as xenodiagnosis for detecting T. cruzi-infectious dogs and cats. kDNA-PCR was slightly more sensitive than xenodiagnosis in seropositive dogs (91% versus 86%, respectively) and cats (77% against 54%, respectively), but failed to detect all of the seropositive individuals. ELISA and IHA detected all xenodiagnosis-positive dogs and both outcomes largely agreed (kappa coefficient, κ = 0.92), whereas both assays failed to detect all of the xenodiagnosis-positive cats and their agreement was moderate (κ = 0.68). In dogs, the sensitivity of the dipstick test was 95% and agreed closely with the outcome of conventional serological tests (κ = 0.82). The high sensitivity of kDNA-PCR to detect T. cruzi infections in naturally infected dogs and cats supports its application as a diagnostic tool complementary to serology and may replace the use of xenodiagnosis or hemoculture.
New Sylvatic Hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi and their reservoir competence in the humid Chaco of Argentina : a longitudinal study
(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2013-03) Orozco, M. Marcela; Enriquez, Gustavo F.; Alvarado-Otegui, Julian; Cardinal, M. Victoria; Schijman, Alejandro G.; Kitron, Uriel; Gürtler, Ricardo E.
A four-year longitudinal study of the structure of sylvatic transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi, reservoir host competence and parasite discrete typing units was conducted in a disturbed rural area of the humid Chaco in Argentina. Among 190 mammals examined by xenodiagnosis and polymerase chain reaction amplification, the composite prevalence of infection was substantially higher in Dasypus novemcinctus armadillos (57.7%) and Didelphis albiventris opossums (38.1%) than in Euphractus sexcinctus (20.0%), Tolypeutes matacus (12.5%), and Chaetophractus vellerosus (6.3%) armadillos. Trypanosoma cruzi was detected for the first time in Thylamys pusilla small opossums and in two unidentified small rodents. Infection was spatially aggregated only in armadillos. All Didelphis were infected with T. cruzi I and all armadillo species were infected with T. cruzi III, implying two distinct sylvatic cycles with no inputs from the domestic cycle. Dasypus armadillos and Didelphis opossums were much more infectious to vectors than other armadillos, small opossums, or rodents.
Unexpected failures to control Chagas disease vectors with pyrethroid spraying in Northern Argentina
(Entomological Society of America, 2012-08) Gurevitz, Juan M.; Gaspe, María Sol; Enríquez, Gustavo F.; Vassena, Claudia V.; Alvarado-Otegui, Julian
Effectiveness of the elimination efforts against Triatoma infestans (Klug) in South America through residual application of pyrethroid insecticides has been highly variable in the Gran Chaco region. We investigated apparent vector control failures after a standard community-wide spraying with deltamethrin SC in a rural area of northeastern Argentina encompassing 353 houses. Insecticide spraying reduced house infestation less than expected: from 49.5% at baseline to 12.3 and 6.7% at 4 and 8mo postspraying, respectively. Persistent infestations were detected in 28.4% of houses, and numerous colonies with late-stage bugs were recorded after the interventions. Laboratory bioassays showed reduced susceptibility to pyrethroids in the local bug populations. Eleven of 14 bug populations showed reduced mortality in diagnostic dose assays (range, 35 5% to 97 8%) whereas the remainder had 100% mortality. A fully enclosed residual bug population in a large chicken coop survived four pyrethroid sprays, including two double-dose applications, and was Þnally suppressed with malathion. The estimated resistance ratio of this bug population was 7.17 (range, 4.47Ð11.50). Our Þeld data combined with laboratory bioassays and a residual foci experiment demonstrate that the initial failure to suppress T. infestans was mainly because of the unexpected occurrence of reduced susceptibility to deltamethrin in an area last treated with pyrethroid insecticides 12 yr earlier. Our results underline the need for close monitoring of the impact of insecticide spraying to provide early warning of possible problems because of enhanced resistance or tolerance and determine appropriate responses.
Intensified surveillance and insecticide-based control of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in the Argentinean Chaco
(Public Library of Science, 2013-04) Gurevitz, Juan M.; Gaspe, María Sol; Enriquez, Gustavo F.; Provecho, Yael M.; Kitron, Uriel; Gürtler, Ricardo E.
Research results showed that current vector control procedures have limited effectiveness in the Gran Chaco. Selective insecticide sprays must include all sites within the infested house compound. The suppression of T. infestans in rural areas with moderate pyrethroid resistance requires increased efforts. In addition to systematic insecticide applications, housing and development policies that reduce habitat suitability for bugs will contribute substantially to sustainable vector and disease control. Pre-spraying bug abundance, and other characteristics of infested sites (domiciles, kitchens or storerooms, fowl coops and ‘nideros’ –an elevated shelf where poultry nest) before interventions, were reliable predictors of post-spraying site infestation.
Vietnam one health – ecohealth alliance newsletter, issue no. 1, January 2013
(Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research (CENPHER), Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, VN, 2013-01) Hanoi School of Public Health. Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research (CENPHER)
The newsletter provides links to activities and events, conferences and collaborative partnerships, that work towards better research and understanding in zoonotic disease prevention. Ecosystem approaches to health, or Ecohealth, acknowledge the complex, systemic nature of public health and environmental issues and the inadequacy of conventional methodologies for dealing with them.
Integrating Health, Sustainability and Ecosystems in the Post-2015 Development Agenda
(2012) Horwitz, Pierre; Morrison, Karen; Parkes, Margot; Patz, Jonathan; Zinsstag, Jakob
The International Association for Ecology and Health (IAEH) appreciates the invitation for interested individuals and groups to submit think pieces on the positioning and role of health in the post-2015 agenda, with a challenge facing the health community: to agree on very few goals, feasible targets and measurable indicators that put health at the heart of people’s understanding of the purpose of development. Representing Ecohealth researchers, practitioners, and policy makers, the Association promotes sustainable health and well-being by pursuing “transdisciplinary” approaches across sectors to address interdependent causal factors of health and well-being. The post-2015 development agenda must have sustainable health in mind; that is, health for today without compromising the natural, social and cultural capital required for the health of future generations.
Trans-disciplinary study on the health risks of cryptosporidiosis from dairy systems in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya : study background and farming system characteristics
(Springer, 2012-08) Kang’ethe, Erastus K.; Kimani, Violet N.; McDermott, Brigid; Grace, Delia; Lang’at, Alfred K.
This paper characterises the dairy farming system in Dagoretti, Nairobi. Characterisation was part of a broader ecohealth project to estimate the prevalence and risk of cryptosporidiosis and develop risk mitigation strategies. In the project a trans-disciplinary team addressed epidemiological, socioeconomic, environmental and policy aspects of cryptosporidiosis, an emerging zoonosis. This paper also provides background and describes sampling methods for the wider project. Three hundred dairy households were probabilistically sampled from a sampling frame of all dairy households in five of the six locations of Dagoretti, one of the eight districts of Nairobi Province. Randomly selected households identified 100 non-dairy-keeping households who also took part in the study. A household questionnaire was developed, pre-tested and administered in the dry and wet seasons of 2006. An additional study on livelihood and economic benefits of dairying took place with 100 dairy farmers randomly selected from the 300 farms (as well as 40 non-dairy neighbours as a control group), and a risk targeted survey of environmental contamination with Cryptosporidium was conducted with 20 farmers randomly selected from the 29 farmers in the wider survey who were considered at high risk because of farming system. We found that around 1 in 80 urban households kept dairy cattle with an average of three cattle per household. Cross-breeds of exotic and local cattle predominate. Heads of dairykeeping households were significantly less educated than the heads of non-dairy neighbours, had lived in Dagoretti for significantly longer and had significantly larger households. There was a high turnover of 10 % of the cattle population in the 3-month period of the study. Cattle were zero grazed, but productivity parameters were sub-optimal as were hygiene and husbandry practices. In conclusion, dairy keeping is a minor activity in urban Nairobi but important to households involved and their community. Ecohealth approaches are well suited to tackling the complex problem of assessing and managing emerging zoonoses in urban settings.
Social and gender determinants of risk of cryptosporidiosis, an emerging zoonosis, in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya
(Springer, 2012-08) Kimani, Violet N.; Mitoko, Grace; McDermott, Brigid; Grace, Delia; Ambia, Julie
The aim of the study was to investigate the social and gender determinants of the risk of exposure to Cryptosporidium fromurban dairying in Dagoretti, Nairobi. Focus group discussions were held in six locations to obtain qualitative information on risk of exposure. A repeated cross-sectional descriptive study included participatory assessment and household questionnaires (300 randomly selected urban dairy farming households and 100 non-dairying neighbours). Onehundred dairy households randomly selected from the 300 dairy households participated in an additional economic survey along with 40 neighbouring non-dairy households. We found that exposure to Cryptosporidium was influenced by gender, age and role in the household. Farm workers and people aged 50 to 65 years had most contact with cattle, and women had greater contact with raw milk. However, children had relatively higher consumption of raw milk than other age groups. Adult women had more daily contact with cattle faeces than adult men, and older women had more contact than older men. Employees had greater contact with cattle than other groups and cattle faeces, and most (77 %) were male. Women took more care of sick people and were more at risk from exposure by this route. Poverty did not affect the level of exposure to cattle but did decrease consumption of milk. There was no significant difference between men and women as regards levels of knowledge on symptoms of cryptosporidiosis infections or other zoonotic diseases associated with dairy farming. Awareness of cryptosporidiosis and its transmission increased significantly with rising levels of education. Members of nondairy households and children under the age of 12 years had significantly higher odds of reporting diarrhoea: gender, season and contact with cattle or cattle dung were not significantly linked with diarrhoea. In conclusion, social and gender factors are important determinants of exposure to zoonotic disease in Nairobi.
Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in dairy cattle, cattle-keeping families, their non-cattle-keeping neighbours and HIV-positive individuals in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya
(Springer, 2012-08) Kange’the, Erastus; McDermott, Brigid; Grace, Delia; Mbae, Cecilia; Mulinge, Erastus
This paper reports a study estimating the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis, an emerging zoonosis, in people and cattle in Dagoretti, Nairobi. A repeated cross-sectional survey was carried out among randomly selected cattle keepers in Dagoretti, their dairy cattle and their non-cattle-keeping neighbours in the dry and wet seasons of 2006. A survey was also carried out among a group of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Faecal samples were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts using the modified Ziehl–Neelsen method; 16 % of the samples were also examined using immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) technique. Quality control consisted of blind reviews of slides, examining split samples and confirming slide results with IFA. We found that members of dairy households had a dry season cryptosporidiosis prevalence of 4 % and wet season prevalence of 0.3 %, and non-dairy households, a prevalence of 5 and 0 %, respectively. The cattle dry season prevalence was 15 %, and the wet season prevalence, 11 %. The prevalence in people living with HIV was 5 %. The laboratory quality control system showed some inconsistency within and between different tests, indicating challenges in obtaining consistent results under difficult field and working conditions. In conclusion, this is the first reported study to simultaneously survey livestock, livestock keepers and their neighbours for cryptosporidiosis. We failed to find evidence that zoonotic cryptosporidiosis is important overall in this community. This study also draws attention to the importance of quality control and its reporting in surveys in developing countries.
Outcome mapping for fostering and measuring change in risk management behaviour among urban dairy farmers in Nairobi, Kenya
(Springer, 2012-08) Nyangaga, Julius N.; Grace, Delia; Kimani, Violet; Kiragu, Monica W.; Langat, Alfred K.
A study was undertaken to investigate and mitigate the risk from zoonotic Cryptosporidium associated with dairy farming in Dagoretti division, Nairobi, Kenya. Outcome mapping (OM), a relatively new tool for planning and evaluation, was used to foster and then monitor changes in farmer management of health risks. Elements of the OM framework, including the vision, mission and expected progress markers, were developed in participatory sessions and a set of progress markers was used for monitoring behaviour change in farmers participating in the project (the boundary partners). Behaviour change (the outcome challenge) was supported by a range of awareness and educational campaigns, working with strategic partners (extension agents and administrative leaders). The farmers the project worked with made considerable progress according to the markers; they demonstrated an understanding of cryptosporidiosis, established or maintained clean and well drained cattle sheds, and took conscious effort to reduce possible infection. Farmers who did not participate in the project (non-contact farmers) were found to be less advanced on the progress marker indicators. Non-contact farmers who carried out risk-reducing practices had done so independently of the project team. The administration leaders, as strategic partners, had a positive attitude towards the project and confidence in their ability to support project objectives. The study demonstrates the utility of OM in helping to identify and support behavioural change.
Multiple burdens of zoonotic disease and an ecohealth approach to their assessment
(Springer, 2012-08) Grace, Delia; Gilbert, Jeff; Randolph, Thomas; Kang’ethe, Erastus
Zoonoses occur at the interface of human and animal disease and partly because their impact and management fall across two sectors they are often neglected. The Global Burden of Disease captures the impact of zoonoses on human health in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Based on this, we estimate that in low income countries, zoonoses and diseases which recently emerged from animals make up 26 % of the DALYs lost to infectious disease and 10 % of the total DALYs lost. In contrast, in high income countries, zoonoses and diseases recently which emerged from animals represent less than 1 % of DALYs lost to infectious disease and only 0.02 % of the total disease burden. We present a framework that captures the costs of zoonoses and emerging disease to human, animal and ecosystem health in terms of cost of treatment, cost of prevention, health burden and intangible and opportunity costs. We also discuss how ecohealth concepts of transdisciplinarity, participation and equity can help in assessing the importance of zoonoses in developing countries and illustrate these with an example of assessing milk-borne disease.
Development and delivery of evidence-based messages to reduce the risk of zoonoses in Nairobi, Kenya
(Springer, 2012-08) Kang’ethe, Erastus; Kimani, Violet; Grace, Delia; Mitoko, Grace; McDermott, Brigid
This paper describes a trans-disciplinary process of co-generating and disseminating evidence-based messages for reducing the risk from cryptosporidiosis and other zoonoses in an urban community in Nairobi. Research findings about disease prevalence, risk factors and observed risky and risk-mitigating practices were analysed by a team comprising researchers, community members and local policy- and decision-makers. Using participatory planning, multiple strategies were developed for disseminating key information. We identified five vulnerable groups at higher risk of exposure to cryptosporidiosis and other cattle zoonoses with similar transmission pathways (women, children, elderly people, immunosuppressed people and male farm workers). For each group, targeted messages were developed. Good practices already in use, as were also practices as practices to improve environmental conditions. These messages were disseminated through printed material, in a workshop, through community campaigners and also an edutainment soap opera episode broadcast on Kenyan television. In conclusion, a participatory and trans-disciplinary process can help transform the findings of research into messages that are targeted, attractive and understandable.
Evaluating a group-based intervention to improve the safety of meat in Bodija Market, Ibadan, Nigeria
(Springer, 2012-08) Grace, Delia; Dipeolu, Morenike; Olawoye, Janice; Ojo, Ernest; Odebode, Stella
We evaluated a group-based, participatory training intervention to improve food safety among meat processors and retailers in Bodija Market, Ibadan, Nigeria. An interactive training workshop was held for Butchers Associations’ representatives who were selected to pass on information and training to their group. Meat hygiene knowledge, attitude and practice was assessed before attending the workshop and afterwards (n063). It was also assessed for those who did not attend the workshop (n068) but were intended recipients of training through their association. Microbiological quality of meat was assessed before and after the workshop (n0400 samples). After the workshop, participants significantly improved knowledge, attitude and practice in key food safety aspects; specifically, understanding sources of contamination and food-borne diseases, use of bleach and disinfectant and hand washing. Participants also shared information with an average of 18 other group members and improvements were seen in group members who did not attend the workshop but received training through their Butchers Association.

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