Kasstan Ben, Hampshire Kate, Guest Claire, Logan James G, Pinder Margaret, Williams Kate, D'Alessandro Umberto, Lindsay Steve W
1Department of Anthropology,Durham University,Durham,UK.
2Medical Detection Dogs,Milton Keynes,UK.
J Biosoc Sci. 2019 May;51(3):436-443. doi: 10.1017/S0021932018000408. Epub 2019 Jan 8.
Bio-Detection Dogs (BDDs) are used in some high-income countries as a diagnostic intervention, yet little is known about their potential in low/middle-income countries with limited diagnostic resources. This exploratory study investigated the opportunities and implications of deploying BDDs as a mobile diagnostic intervention to identify people with asymptomatic malaria, particularly at ports of entry, as an important step to malaria elimination in a population. A qualitative study design consisting of participant observation, five focus group discussions and informal conversations was employed in The Gambia in April-May 2017. A disciplined German Shepherd companion dog (not trained as a BDD) was introduced to research participants and their perceptions recorded. Field-notes and discussions were transcribed, translated and analysed thematically. Most research participants viewed positively the possibility of using BDDs to detect malaria, with the major advantage of being non-invasive. Some concerns, however, were raised regarding safety and efficacy, as well as cultural issues around the place of dogs within human society. The Gambia is a rabies-endemic country, and unfamiliar dogs are not usually approached, with implications for how research participants perceived BDDs. Understanding such concerns and working with local people to address such issues must be part of any successful strategy to deploy BDDs in new settings. Bio-Detection Dogs represent a potentially non-invasive diagnostic tool for the detection of asymptomatic or chronic malaria infections, particularly in areas with very low parasite rates. However, it is important to understand local concerns and work closely with communities to address those concerns. Wider deployment of BDDs will also require careful planning and sustained financial support.
生物探测犬（BDDs）在一些高收入国家被用作一种诊断干预手段，但对于它们在诊断资源有限的低收入/中等收入国家的潜力却知之甚少。这项探索性研究调查了将生物探测犬作为一种移动诊断干预手段来识别无症状疟疾患者的机会和影响，特别是在入境口岸，这是在人群中消除疟疾的重要一步。2017年4月至5月在冈比亚采用了一种定性研究设计，包括参与观察、五次焦点小组讨论和非正式交谈。将一只训练有素的德国牧羊犬伴侣犬（未训练成生物探测犬）介绍给研究参与者并记录他们的看法。对实地记录和讨论进行了转录、翻译并进行了主题分析。大多数研究参与者对使用生物探测犬检测疟疾的可能性持积极看法，主要优点是无创。然而，也有人对安全性和有效性以及狗在人类社会中的地位等文化问题表示担忧。冈比亚是一个狂犬病流行国家，人们通常不会接近不熟悉的狗，这影响了研究参与者对生物探测犬的看法。了解这些担忧并与当地人合作解决这些问题，必须成为在新环境中部署生物探测犬的任何成功战略的一部分。生物探测犬是一种潜在的无创诊断工具，可用于检测无症状或慢性疟疾感染，特别是在寄生虫率非常低的地区。然而，了解当地的担忧并与社区密切合作解决这些担忧很重要。更广泛地部署生物探测犬还需要仔细规划和持续的财政支持。
