Background
In Parakuyo Village, Parakuyo ward in Tanzania, rabies poses a severe public health threat, mainly affecting children and community members who are unaware of proper rabies prevention measures. High numbers of stray dogs with unknown vaccination status increase the risk, and the burden of care falls heavily on women who nurse the victims of dog bites. The issue was identified through community assessments and consultations with local leaders, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Problem Statement
Rabies remains a significant health challenge in Parakuyo Village, with low awareness and prevention measures. Stray dogs with unknown vaccination statuses worsen the problem, and women in the community bear the brunt of caregiving for dog bite victims(boys), hence the need for a targeted and effective intervention.
Solution
AFROHUN has helped address the rabies issue in Kilosa due to its expertise in One Health approaches and community-based interventions. Due to its strong partner network and dedication, AFROHUN mobilized resources and expertise to support local initiatives, like empowering women’s associations to lead rabies prevention efforts.
Through the AFROHUN One Health Academy, AFROHUN is implementing the Transboundary Disease Risk Communication and Community Engagement (TD-RCCE), with virtual and experiential (Mentored Experiential Learning Training-MELT) learning modes of delivery. One of the experiential training sites for the MELT is Kilosa District in Tanzania.
I was one of the trainees for the Kilosa site training and in this piece I share my experience. Our approach focused on leveraging existing women’s associations in Parakuyo Village. We identified and trained women in Parakuyo village who will train the women leaders from the other three villages in the ward on rabies prevention and control. We will launch a dog identification and vaccination campaign by collaborating with local leaders and veterinary professionals and partnering with governmental agencies, NGOs, and national parks. This collaborative approach ensures that all stakeholders are involved and committed to the cause, making the intervention more effective and sustainable. Maasai leather dog collars, branded similarly to cattle markings, will be used to identify dog ownership, ensuring each vaccinated dog will be quickly identified.
The Success
The impact of our initiative will ensure that all dogs are vaccinated across four villages, benefiting all the community members. Through educational campaigns facilitated by these women’s associations, awareness of rabies prevention and management will be intensified.
Faith Njeri Marigi was among the AFROFUN RCCE advocates who visited the women’s group with this narrative; “Empowering women to take charge of rabies prevention not only saves lives but also strengthens community resilience. As a community RCCE advocate, seeing the women of Parakuyo take ownership of rabies prevention fills me with pride. Together, we will transform fear into hope and pave the way for a healthier future.”
Conclusion
Without AFROHUN’s intervention, the spread of rabies in Kilosa could have continued unchecked, leading to more deaths and economic losses. Sustaining vaccination efforts and expanding community education remains crucial. This success story is meant to inspire similar initiatives globally, utilizing community strengths to combat rabies effectively. This success story from Parakuyo Village shows the power of community-led initiatives and the transformative role of women in public health. Together, we can ensure a future where rabies is no longer a threat to communities worldwide.
The trainee and colleagues conduct a FDG with women in Parakuyo on rabies control in the village.
In a critical thinking session on rabies control in Kilosa.