Economics of Brucellosis control in the peri-urban dairy sector of West Africa
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Veterinary College
Department Name: Production and Population Health
Abstract
Periurban dairy farming is an expanding livestock system in West Africa where it contributes to food security and dietary diversity by supplying milk and dairy products to rapidly growing urban populations. Available evidence suggests that the impact of brucellosis in this system is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project will address the socioeconomic and regulatory constraints to brucellosis control, enabling the implementation of a new generation of sustainable, mid-to-long term, prevalence reduction programs for brucellosis in this expanding production system. This PhD studentship is linked to a project funded by the ZELS initiative and it will align with others in the ZELS Associated Studentships (ZELS-AS) programme through common interests in developing interdisciplinary approaches to tackle zoonotic diseases. The PhD project will be closely related to parallel activities to be carried out under the umbrella of the ZELS project and is expected to combine qualitative and quantitative methods from psychological theory and economics to generate detailed understanding of socioeconomic drivers for the adoption of control strategies against brucellosis, including estimates of economic impact at farm level and a comprehensive assessment of the social, regulatory and institutional barriers for the implementation of a control strategy based on vaccination. Although brucellosis will be used as a case study, project outputs will be relevant for other infectious diseases that are endemic among periurban dairy farms in the region. The study will involve key stakeholders currently working on animal health issues in West Africa to ensure maximum policy impact. Study results will be incorporated into capacity building activities planned as part of the ZELS project within which this PhD project will take place.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Jonathan Rushton (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Laura Craighead (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/N503563/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 | |||
| 1681320 | Studentship | BB/N503563/1 | 01/12/2015 | 29/02/2020 | Laura Craighead |
| Description | • A situation analysis, analysing demographic data showed that across 14 countries in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad & Togo) there are substantial differences in both human and cattle population dynamics and environmental factors that act as drivers for growth in commercial dairy farming. • In the above named countries, there is at present a general lack of co-ordinated brucellosis control programmes other than in Rwanda. • A literature review and workshop with stakeholders showed a dynamic epidemiological picture evolving with demographic changes and a dearth of data to define the true social and economic burden of brucellosis over the past decades. • A cross sectional study showed substantial heterogeneity between peri-urban farming systems in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal and Togo, characterised by different farmer profiles, varying levels of intensification and differing husbandry practices. • A spectrum of transformation of farming systems was documented in a cross sectional study highlighting a move towards more intensive commercially driven enterprises in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal and Togo, however the speed of evolution is widely variable between these countries. • In peri-urban farming systems of Senegal, economic modelling predicted that little advantage would be gained economically by farmers if they were to employ brucellosis control through two defined vaccination programmes under the current farming conditions and minimal gross margins with which they work. • Focus group discussions in Senegal found that structural barriers such as governance and environmental challenges as well as other diseases are prioritised over brucellosis by farmers. • Transformative and collaborative agreements in private-public partnerships where found to be promising avenues for cattle healthcare delivery to farmers, particularly in countries such as Burkina Faso which have higher proportions of commercially driven farmer practices. |
| Exploitation Route | These findings are of great value to bodies looking to develop the dairy industry and as such will be presented at a workshop with dairy stakeholders and governing bodies. The full analysis will be incorporated into assumptions made when using economic modelling techniques to evaluate brucellosis disease control options. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Two way discussion with study participants was encouraged following the data collection activity and this allowed them to ask questions and receive additional information about the risk and control of zoonotic diseases. The findings of the data analysis will be shared and built on in a dairy stakeholders however this has been postponed due to the current pandemic situation. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | International One Health Congress Fellowship |
| Amount | $4,000 (CAD) |
| Organisation | One Health Platform |
| Sector | Private |
| Start | 06/2018 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | Zoonosis and Emerginig Livestock Systems Associated Studentships |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Title | Dairy economic parameters dataset |
| Description | Multi national dataset from anonymous farmer questionnaires in West and Central Africa. Data on a range of economic parameters associated with dairy farming as well as farm characteristics and farmer behaviour and opinion. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Data utilised for multiple post graduate student projects and papers being prepared for publication covering different aspects of dairy farming. The data will also be utilised in parameterising economic models for the control of brucellosis. |
| Title | Dairy farmers focus groups |
| Description | Dairy farmer focus group discussion transcripts from Senegalese dairy farmers regarding their thoughts and perceptions on dairy farming in the area. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Informed design and implementation of further research questions and techniques. |
| Title | Herd level infectious disease economic impact model |
| Description | A farm level economic model to assess costs and benefits of brucellosis control through vaccination, utilising epidemiological model outputs and production/economic parameters from situation appropriate datasets. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Interest from other groups in utilising the model adapted for different geographical areas and diseases. |
| Title | Livestock healthcare provision dataset |
| Description | Questionnaire data from Senegalese farmers regarding access to and utilisation of healthcare for their livestock. Questionnaire data is complemented by participatory activity data gathered prior to questionnaire administration, |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Methods and scripts are being utilised for further work in other West African countries. |
| Description | Fieldwork collaboration with Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, Senegal |
| Organisation | Institute of Development Research (IRD) |
| Department | Research Institute for Development Senegal |
| Country | Senegal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | IRD have been working with our target populations for over 30 years with the aim of improving human health. All preliminary research findings have been shared with IRD that they might utilise findings to inform future work with regards to zoonotic diseases and livelihoods of farmers. We provided qualitative methods training to IRD enumerators to conduct focus group sessions. |
| Collaborator Contribution | IRD kindly facilitated field work through their field station. They undertook recruitment of staff on our behalf and were responsible for field team management. They shared expertise in working in the area and provided vehicle and drivers for our field visits. |
| Impact | 1. Cross sectional study, collecting data on farm characteristics and economic parameters associated with dairy farming. 2. Focus groups with farmers to investigate opinions on the direction of the dairy sector as well as barriers to farming. 3.Work is in progress on papers from the field work activities. 4.Interaction and discussion with local farmers regarding disease impact and control. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | One Health many perspectives: Emerging Research from LMICs, Post Graduate & Early Career Researcher Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This two-day Postgraduate (PGR) and Early Career Researcher (ECR) symposium was held at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) on the 29th and 30th August 2018. The event was organised by the students of the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems - Associated Studentship (ZELS-AS) program and kindly funded by BBSRC, DFID, MRC, NERC, ESRC and DSTL. The general consensus of delegates and invited speakers was that it was a resounding success. With a combination of keynote speakers, oral and poster presentations and interactive discussion sessions, the symposium allowed plenty of time for enthusiastic engagement and interaction among future One Health scientists. It is hoped that the networks and collaborations formed during the symposium will enable a sustained and supportive arena for those wishing to remain connected One Health research and researchers in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://zelspgrsymposium.wordpress.com/ |
| Description | ZELS-AS website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A dedicated website to showcase the ZELS-AS cohort, providing an interface for funders and other interested parties to hear about students on-going work as well as a dedicated student only area for discussions and sharing of resources. Associated twitter account with over 300 followers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
| URL | https://zelsphds.wordpress.com/ |