A University Driven Approach to Engaging Communities in Solving Complex Health Problems at the Human-Animal-Environmental Interface: A One Health Demonstration Site Survey in Kilosa District, Tanzania

In light of the increasing global demographics, disease emergence and intensified encroachment on natural habitats, meeting the needs of the community and safeguarding their health is becoming a significant challenge. Engaging communities in one health activities is one way to ensure that they are involved in the planning, implementation and management of activities and interventions right from the beginning. The One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA) network of veterinary, environmental and public health institutions have been developing regional collaboration sites (One Health Demonstration Sites) for capacity building, outreach, and applied research in One Health where students, faculty, communities and government representatives work together to address joint complex health problems in long-term research, training and outreach at the human-animal -environment interface.In Tanzania, Kilosa district located close to Mikumi national park was identified as a perfect site. Villages surround the national park and are in close interaction with wild animals. Environmental issues such as flooding have happened in this area, there are internally displaced communities, and farmers live in conflict with pastoralists, wildlife authorities and the government.Faculty and students from Sokoine University and Tufts University performed a baseline survey of this area with key stakeholders in mind, and a focus on the different one health activities and interventions possible and the roles and responsibilities of the community in the demo site. Existing field based programs and attachments were reviewed, a situational analysis was conducted to allow for the engagement of local and national stakeholders in order to assure that activities are aligned with priorities and existing activities. Specific human health, animal health, and ecosystem challenges and impacts were identified, e.g. local human, livestock and wildlife diseases, habitat fragmentation, edge effect, biodiversity loss, around which training modules and/or curriculum could be developed for prospective trainees in public health, veterinary medicine, nursing and environmental health consistent with One Health themes and competencies. Focus group discussions were held with the community. Various community leaders as well as district level government and civil society officials exchanged ideas on how to implement the one health demonstration site.The Kilosa region was found to be strategically positioned in terms of cultural resources and vulnerable populations as well as endemic or threatened wildlife species. Rabies, Rift Valley Fever and milk borne (Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis) as well as water borne zoonoses were identified by community members as priority diseases that would be intervened effectively using one health approach. There was ongoing conflict among pastoralists, farmers, the national parks administration that presented opportunities for research and novel intervention systems. Community support and existing infrastructure for ongoing activities including influx of trainees and research staff was considered adequate. Potential opportunities for the demonstration site to contribute to the local economy by virtue of employment, improved subsistence resources, conservation and sustainability, biodiversity protection, improved recreation or appreciation by tourists were present as well as future opportunities for community-based participatory research and training. The presence of ongoing stakeholder conflict presents opportunities for investigation and intervention by community members, the government and the universities working together using a one health approach. The survey provided prospects for engaging the community from the initial planning and execution stages of the demonstration site.