Mansingh Asit, Choudhary Hari Ram, Shandilya Jyoti, Bhattacharya Debdutta, Kshatri Jaya Singh, Parai Debaprasad, Pattanaik Matrujyoti, Padhi Arun Kumar, Jain Hitesh Kumar, Mohanty Prasantajyoti, Kanungo Srikanta, Pati Sanghamitra
Department of Microbiology and One Health, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India.
Office of the Chief District Medical Officer, Koraput, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Koraput, Government of Odisha, Odisha, India.
Indian J Med Res. 2021 Mar;153(3):394-400. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_646_21.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease of public health concern in India. One of the key predisposing factors is linked to the behaviour of the community. This study was nested within a baseline survey to understand the risk perception, attitude, socio-cultural and behavioural practices among different communities in an anthrax endemic tribal district of Odisha, India. It was aimed to explore the systemic gaps from the officials of different departments while addressing the animal and human anthrax cases and the knowledge, attitude, and behavioural practices among the tribal communities with regards to both animal and human anthrax signs, symptoms, and transmission from animal to human.
A qualitative exploratory study was carried out in the district of Koraput, Odisha. Insights from eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and 42 in-depth-interviews (IDIs) with the stakeholders from health, veterinary, forest, general administrative departments and community were collected and analyzed thematically.
Major themes that emerged were inter-departmental coordination, livestock vaccination, surveillance network, laboratory facilities, prevention and control strategies with regards to the animal and human anthrax cases. The study also emphasized setting up the surveillance system as per the standard guidelines, and strengthening the diagnostic facilities for timely detection of confirmed cases. It also highlighted the current needs and the gaps among inter-sectoral coordination, collaboration, and sensitization among Health, Veterinary, Forest, Education, Nutrition, and Tribal Welfare Departments at various levels to reduce the prevalence and control the outbreaks of anthrax in the district and State.
INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The coordination gaps, financial burden, insufficient relevant knowledge and information among the concerned stakeholders were the issues found in this study in addition to non-availability of proper diagnostic facility. The coordination among different departments adapting One Health approach may be one of the best possible ways for the elimination of anthrax cases in an endemic region.
炭疽是印度一种关乎公共卫生的人畜共患病。关键的诱发因素之一与社区行为有关。本研究嵌套于一项基线调查，旨在了解印度奥里萨邦一个炭疽流行的部落地区不同社区的风险认知、态度、社会文化及行为习惯。其目的还包括探究不同部门官员在处理动物和人类炭疽病例时存在的系统性差距，以及部落社区对于动物和人类炭疽的体征、症状及动物向人类传播方面的知识、态度和行为习惯。
在奥里萨邦的科拉普特地区开展了一项定性探索性研究。通过与卫生、兽医、森林、一般行政部门及社区的利益相关者进行八次焦点小组讨论（FGD）和42次深入访谈（IDI）收集见解，并进行主题分析。
出现的主要主题包括部门间协调、牲畜疫苗接种、监测网络、实验室设施以及动物和人类炭疽病例的防控策略。该研究还强调应按照标准指南建立监测系统，并加强诊断设施以及时检测确诊病例。它还突出了各级卫生、兽医、森林、教育、营养和部落福利部门在部门间协调、协作及宣传方面的当前需求和差距，以降低该地区和该邦炭疽的流行率并控制疫情爆发。
除了缺乏适当的诊断设施外，本研究发现的问题还包括相关利益者之间的协调差距、财政负担、相关知识和信息不足。采用“同一健康”方法促进不同部门之间的协调可能是在流行地区消除炭疽病例的最佳途径之一。
