Analysis of factors influencing multi-sectoral collaboration in responding to emerging zoonotic diseases: a case of Kilosa district council, Tanzania

Abstract

The integration of the veterinary, medical and wildlife conservation necessary to predict, prevent or respond to emerging zoonotic diseases requires effective collaboration and exchange of knowledge across these disciplines. Current status reveals the non-existence joint structures that are prepared for collaboration in response to zoonotic disease emergencies. Aim: The study analysed factors influencing multi-sectoral collaboration in responding to emerging zoonotic diseases among livestock, wildlife and health depatments in Kilosa District, Tanzania. Methodology: A qualitative case study design in which key informants interviews were used to seek in-depth information on the Factors Influencing Multi-sectoral Collaboration in responding to emerging zoonotic diseases. The sample size of 15 key informants were drawn purposefully from Health, Wildlife and Livestock Department from Kilosa whereby respondents selected based on their occupational and professional experience and involvement in zoonotic disease with regards to multisectoral collaboration and they were interviewed at their natural setting.

Data analysis: The qualitative data analysis employed a thematic approach which involved reading through the transcribed texts of each interview to identify responses relevant to the specific research questions of the study.Themes were categorized in different phases from familiarization with data up to producing the final report whereby researcher started by listerning carefully to the audio tape recorder for several times, and all transcript were transcribed verbatim.

Results: The study did not find any functioning organizational structure in the departments of livestock and wildlife in controlling and managing the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases, which contributed to low collaboration between the three departments. Lack of financial resources to support the running of the three departments was a key setback to the efforts at countering the challenge of zoonotic diseases which later on resulted to poor or no suportive supervision conducted. Also, not considering zoonotic diseases as a priority within the district’s planning framework hinder the efforts to address the challenges posed by zoonotic disease in Kilosa District. However findings reveals on the availability of clear roles and responsibilities on managing zoonotic diseases though implementation of the roles were hindered by financial constrations. Conclussion The multi-sectoral collaboration should be considered as one of the main issues to all sectors that are responsible for controlling and managing zoonotic diseases. Moreover, control of zoonotic diseases should be included in the district and departmental plans and should be placed among the priority areas of the district. Ministry of Healtth, Vertinary and wildlife should increase its commitment through Memorundum of Understanding (MOU). in controlling and managing zoonotic diseases to prevent the eruption of such diseases instead of waiting until a particular disease erupts so as to reduce the negative impacts of the diseases. The central government should ensure that the existing guidelines and policies emphasize on ‘One Health’ concept and multisectoral collaboration in managing and controlling zoonotic diseases. Officials from all departments in Kilosa District should be trained on the concept of ‘One Health’ so as to facilitate the implementation of joint activities that, if not addressed by all the departments, could result in heightened risk including the eruption of zoonotic diseases in the community.