Community engagement strengthens pig disease knowledge and passive surveillance in Timor-Leste

Joanne Millar; Olavio Morais; Henriqueta Da Silva; Paul Hick; Ayrial Foster; Joanita Bendita da Costa Jong; Abrao Pereira; Shawn Ting; Felisiano da Conceição; Jenny-Ann L M L Toribio

doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.1024094

Community engagement strengthens pig disease knowledge and passive surveillance in Timor-Leste

Front Vet Sci. 2023 Jan 12:9:1024094. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1024094. eCollection 2022.

Affiliations

¹ Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia.
² National Directorate of Veterinary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dili, Timor-Leste.
³ Qualitative Research Facilitator and Consultant, Dili, Timor-Leste.
⁴ Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Primary Industry and Resources, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, NT, Australia.
⁶ Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
⁷ Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Smallholder pig production in Timor-Leste is culturally and economically important for most households. However, regular and ongoing disease surveillance and pig husbandry training for farmers are limited. This article describes collaborative social and diagnostic research followed by a pilot community engagement program to improve farmer and technician knowledge, skills, and working relationships. There were three phases: (1) A qualitative study in 2020 to explore the experiences and knowledge of 133 pig farmers, 6 village leaders, and 16 district veterinary technicians on pig diseases and reporting, treatment methods, and access to information or assistance. (2) A pilot community engagement program in 3 villages in 2021 with the diagnostic investigation with samples analyzed from 27 dead pigs, and (3) Evaluation of community engagement and training outcomes. Results of the qualitative study revealed limited reporting of sick or dead pigs by farmers to veterinary technicians due to a lack of trust in the veterinary diagnostic system. Most technicians lacked experience with sampling or post-mortems so diagnostic training was undertaken for the pilot disease investigation. Evaluation results showed improved knowledge, motivation, and confidence of government staff and farmers. The credibility of veterinary technicians improved and gave them more confidence to work with communities. Farmers felt supported because all aspects of pig husbandry were addressed, and they were more willing to report dead or sick pigs. The project indicates that improved passive disease surveillance can be achieved by engaging communities in smallholder pig farming in Timor-Leste. Further research and testing of the approach in other districts and countries is recommended.

Keywords: Timor Leste; biosecurity; community engagement; disease surveillance; pig health.

Grants and funding

This project was funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) as the Small Research Activity No. LS/2019/159 Improved Animal Health Surveillance in Timor-Leste.