Three Things to Know
Direct, verbal communication is the most effective way for Indigenous communities to spread information and report problems. Social media might become more common in the future, but written materials like leaflets are generally ineffective.
Indigenous communities value dogs for both practical and cultural reasons, which motivates them to report health issues. However, a major obstacle to reporting is the lack of available veterinary treatment despite their reports.
Despite being located relatively close to each other, the 16 communities surveyed demonstrated varying levels of trust and had different levels of access to dog welfare services. To address this, community-based surveillance needed to be tailored to each community to be successful.
The Full Picture
Rabies has spread beyond Indonesia’s main islands, posing a significant threat to neighboring Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Northern Australia. Due to unregulated dog movements, these regions, with their large domestic, feral, and wild dog populations, are at risk of a rabies outbreak. To prevent a rabies outbreak and protect human and animal health, effective surveillance is essential. Community engagement is crucial for reporting potential cases.
A study, “Qualitative Research to Design Sustainable Community-Based Surveillance for Rabies in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea,” aimed to understand factors influencing community acceptance of rabies surveillance in these regions. By conducting interviews and focus groups, researchers gathered valuable insights to inform the development of tailored, sustainable surveillance programs.
Study Methods
The study involved sixteen high-risk Indigenous communities across Northern Australia, the Torres Strait, and coastal Western Province, PNG. Interviews were conducted between February and June 2016, with traditional leaders, veterinarians, health workers, and community residents. Additional perspectives were collected from people encountered during field trips.
Study Results
Researchers conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with 64 participants, primarily from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities. Interviews lasted between 20 minutes and 1.5 hours, and participants shared their personal and workplace experiences related to dogs.
Effective Modes of Communication
The study highlighted the importance of verbal communication for disseminating information within and between communities. “Passing on the message” through elders, village leaders, or councilors was the preferred method across regions. Direct conversations, radio, and community meetings were also favored. While social media showed potential among younger groups in East Arnhem and the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), written materials were generally ineffective. Informants emphasized the need for information to be delivered in local languages, as English is not the first language for many, especially in regions with multiple languages, like the Torres Strait.
Reporting Health Concerns
Direct verbal communication was also the most effective way to report concerns about dog health. However, reporting pathways varied by region. In the Torres Strait and NPA, biosecurity officers and animal management workers were trusted, while reporting was more challenging in East Arnhem and Western Province PNG due to limited animal health services and mistrust of authorities.
To improve reporting in areas with low trust or limited infrastructure, surveillance strategies would need to be tailored regionally, potentially involving elders as trusted intermediaries.
Motivators and Barriers for Reporting
The study identified various factors influencing reporting of dog health concerns. A key motivator was the value placed on dogs, which varied by region. In the NPA and PNG, dogs were valued mainly for hunting, while in East Arnhem, they held strong cultural significance, often being considered part of the family. Additionally, dogs were valued as companions and, in some regions like the Torres Strait, as status symbols, with certain dog breeds being sought after.
Lack of veterinary services posed a significant barrier across all regions. While some services were available in East Arnhem and the Torres Strait, they were absent in PNG and the NPA. This discouraged reporting because no treatment could be provided. It also led to a general acceptance of poor dog health as normal, even with zoonotic risks.
The lack of veterinary services also causes difficulties in using clinical signs of disease for reporting. Snake bites and cane-toad poisoning, for example, can resemble rabies symptoms and create unnecessary panic. To ensure sustainability, the researchers recommend focusing on community-wide surveillance for dog mortality. Monitoring dog mortality would provide a highly sensitive indicator for rabies, as all rabies-infected dogs ultimately die. This type of surveillance could also help detect other important diseases, like distemper or screw-worm fly infestations. This approach also builds on existing practices in some regions, where environmental health workers (EHWs) and animal management workers (AMWs) are already responsible for disposing of dead dogs.
Mistrust of authorities, particularly in East Arnhem due to past experiences, was another barrier. In regions with more consistent veterinary services, dogs appeared healthier, and reporting was more frequent, suggesting that the availability of care can significantly influence participation in surveillance.
Awareness of Biosecurity Regulations
The study examined biosecurity compliance and rabies awareness among Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents. Indigenous informants generally understood the importance of biosecurity and adhered to regulations when traveling between PNG, the Torres Strait, and mainland Australia. However, non-Indigenous residents, including health workers and teachers, often had limited knowledge or concern about biosecurity regulations and were more likely to admit non-compliance.
While most people had heard of rabies, few were aware of the risk posed by infected dogs entering from endemic regions or the zoonotic impact on humans. A few informants recalled seeing depictions of rabid dogs in biosecurity materials for passengers on ferries and aircraft.
Human Health Workers’ Perspectives
Human health workers (HWs) were generally aware of rabies but did not consider it a significant concern in their daily work. Their focus was on more immediate health threats like tuberculosis and dengue fever. However, they believed most people would seek medical attention for dog-bite wounds due to the risk of severe infections.
Perceptions of dogs varied among non-Indigenous informants. Some recognized their importance in Indigenous communities, while others viewed free-roaming dogs as a threat. This variability suggests a gap in understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members about the role of dogs in daily life.
The study recommends improving the engagement of non-Indigenous residents in biosecurity practices and adopting a One Health approach to enhance rabies surveillance. Fostering a better understanding of the cultural and practical value of dogs could strengthen trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, increasing participation in community-based surveillance efforts. This would promote the sustainability and coverage of rabies surveillance across the region. Further studies are recommended to explore ways to bridge these gaps and improve engagement.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
–
Year of Publication:
2017
External Link:
Brookes VJ, Kennedy E, Dhagapan P and Ward MP (2017) Qualitative Research to Design Sustainable Community-Based Surveillance for Rabies in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Front. Vet. Sci. 4:19. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00019
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00019