Description
Introduction:
This abstract encapsulates findings from our innovative "One Health" initiative in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically focusing on a region grappling with intricate health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface, in the national park of PNKB. Situated within a broader participatory action research (PAR) endeavor, our study delved into the complexities of environmental degradation and its repercussions on agriculture and livestock management, human health including the risks of zoonotic diseases and the heightened of intercommunity conflict, raising existing health vulnerabilities and social inequalities.
Methodology:
Employing a mixed-methods approach, our study merged qualitative insights garnered through semi-structured interviews with a diverse array of local animal and human health professionals as well as environmental experts. Complementing these qualitative data, a quantitative strand entailed a survey encompassing 280 households within 13 villages of the region. This mixed methodology facilitated a holistic understanding of the multifaceted health dynamics prevailing in the area. Moreover, our innovative approach involved active community engagement, integrating local perspectives into all stages of the research process.
Results:
The study reveals a troubling nexus between human and climate-induced environmental degradation, sparking challenges in regional livestock management. Due to environmental destruction and inadequate land distribution, livestock farmers drive their herds to graze on agricultural lands, resulting in: 1) crop destruction and declining quality, heightening food insecurity risks; 2) increased tensions between farmers and herders, escalating intercommunity conflicts and amplifying existing socio-environmental tensions. Other precarity-driven behaviors such as deforestation for wood selling, bushmeat hunting, sharing roofs with livestock and destruction of ecological corridors foster a dangerous proximity between animals and humans, heightening the risks of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. The emergence of infectious diseases, exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the urgent need to address these interconnected challenges and mitigate their impact.
Discussion:
A pivotal facet emerging from this study's findings pertains to the exacerbation of these the above-mentioned challenges within vulnerable and precarious rural populations. The combination of environmental degradation, leading to closer interactions with wildlife, increasing spillover risk, livestock management hurdles, and intercommunity conflicts accentuates in these marginalized settings. Hence, any future programming or intervention aimed at addressing these issues must intricately consider and cater to the nuanced needs of these populations. Leveraging community-based approaches will be essential in fostering sustainable solutions.
Additionally, our research stands as a pioneering endeavor within a larger PAR, showcasing innovation in methodology and approach with this particular theme. This collaborative effort aimed to foster the empowerment of local communities, engaging them in direct action and amplifying the project's impact and sustainability through their involvement.
Conclusion:
Our findings underscore the imperative of adopting an integrated One Health approach to navigate the intricate web of challenges facing human, animal, and environmental health in the DRC region. Embracing a holistic understanding of these interconnected issues is pivotal in crafting innovative interventions that account for the vulnerabilities of rural populations. Leveraging methodologies such as PAR frameworks will be key in fostering the co-creation of creative solutions for resilience and sustainable health outcomes in these communities.
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