Livestock Systems

Developing and testing processes and tools to generate connected and-live health security knowledge in Mekong Communities

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Project code
LS/2018/215
Budget
AUD 249,854
Research program manager
Dr Anna Okello
Project leader
Dr Richard Osborne, Swinburne University of Technology
Commissioned organisation
Swinburne University of Technology
Duration:
FEB 2019
JAN 2020
Project status
Concluded
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Overview

This project developed and trialed two assessment tools to assess the impact of health literacy related to health security in Cambodia.

Many health security threats, including threats arising from interactions between human and animal health, have arisen in remote areas in South East Asia, including in areas with many minority language groups. These people often live in extremely fragile circumstances with many risks to their daily existence and livelihoods, which means they cannot keep all potential risks as front-of-mind issues. In addition, their relationships with agricultural, health and other organisations is often influenced by cultural differences.

The focus of this project was on the knowledge held within villages about how people can raise and live around animals in ways that are safe and beneficial for both humans and animals. in the research is not only about the knowledge people have but also how people share and apply knowledge as families and as a village in daily life, and in various seasonal circumstances. The project worked with national, provincial and local agencies and leaders in Cambodia.

This project is part of the Research for One Health Systems Strengthening Program co-funded with DFAT addressing zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance and systems strengthening within the Asia Pacific. 

Project outcomes

  • Developed an interview-based tool that provides useful indicators of connected-and-live knowledge about living around and raising animals in ways that are healthy for humans, animals and the environment at the village level.
  • The model is potentially scalable to other districts to implement independently. However, there is a need for further research and development, particularly evaluating the extent to which villages actually implement their action plans, and the extent to which they achieve improvements in connected-and-live knowledge and real benefits for people and animals.

 

Key partners
Deakin University Australia
Thammasat University Thailand
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Cambodia
National Centre for Health promotion
Ministry of Health Cambodia
Department of Communicable Disease Control Cambodia
National University of Laos
The University of Health Sciences Laos
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