Jigjiga University One Health Initiative

Abstract

A partnership between Jigjiga University (JJU), the Armauer Hansen Research Institute and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, One Health (OH) established the Jigjiga University One Health Initiative (JOHI) in Ethiopian Somali Regional State. The aim of JOHI is to establish health research, teaching and development capacity at JJU leading to innovative integrated health systems to improve the health and wellbeing of pastoralist communities. The stakeholders include communities, local decision makers and academic partners. This case study reviews their experiences through the transdisciplinary process of the first phase of the project. We started with the challenge of how to find out what to do, identifying priorities together with all actors, and framing and setting up the project. From the agreed upon goals, research questions were formulated and discussed with the participants. Ideas emerged on interventions, which were converted into action plans, and again scrutinized by the actors and project committees. Field projects were implemented and research results were shared with stakeholders to inform and develop the activities for the second project phase. The repeated dialogue with stakeholders, including the communities, ensured that the developed interventions are feasible for service providers and acceptable to the target population. We conclude that such iterative transdisciplinary research projects have a huge advantage over conventional scientist-driven research, leading to more rapid transfer of research findings into policy and practice.