Perception of veterinarians about knowledge of zoonotic diseases by doctors and nurses in the municipalities of Cajica, Chia, and Cota, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Abstract

According to the WHO and its multisectoral “One Health” approach, collaboration and communication between different professionals is important to increase positive public health outcomes. For this reason, the existence of a multidisciplinary team that incorporates the knowledge of doctors, nurses and veterinarians is necessary so that they can be integrated and thus broaden the understanding of infectious diseases of zoonotic origin, which cause serious public health problems. and therefore, a high cost in care for the health system. The foregoing makes research in this regard become relevant, because
it is intended to know the perception that veterinary doctors have about the knowledge that health professionals have in the field of zoonotic diseases. Therefore, an investigation was carried out with the objective of describing the perception of veterinarians about the knowledge of zoonotic diseases by doctors and nurses in the municipalities of Cajicá, Chía and Cota. In this way, descriptive qualitative research was carried out, with semi-structured interviews directed to veterinarians and animal husbandry veterinarians from the municipalities of Cajicá, Chía and Cota. Nine professionals participated; the selection of the participants was carried out under selection criteria (geographic area of influence, profession, field of action). The data analysis was developed under the thematic analysis approach. Among the main results, veterinarians (n=3) and animal husbandry veterinarians (n=6) participated in the research; who work in the agricultural sector (n=2), clinicians (n=1), public entities (n=4), animal benefit plant (n=1), teacher/public health (=1); and they came from Cajicá (n=3), Chía (=5), Cota (=1).
The thematic analysis yielded six macro categories associated with the object of the investigation. And sixteen subcategories. The participants' descriptions of the phenomenon: Ignorance of the prevention of zoonotic diseases by doctors and nurses, increase epidemiological surveillance actions of zoonoses, medical education to deal with zoonotic diseases, interdisciplinary dialogues to deal with zoonoses, weaknesses or barriers in the interprofessional dialogue, possible interprofessional actions. The participants pointed to the prevention of zoonotic diseases by doctors and nurses; there is evidence of the absence of collaborative practice between health professionals and veterinarians, ignorance of the measures for the prevention of zoonoses, likewise, they manifest the shortcomings of the adoption of measures for the prevention of zoonotic diseases. However, according to the frameworks proposed by the Ministry of Health, it must be fully known by doctors, to exercise their own actions in the diagnosis of zoonotic diseases and in different studies they describe the lack of knowledge of health professionals regarding the semiology, diagnosis and epidemiology of these diseases. On the other hand, of the nine participants, 7 indicated that there are flaws and gaps in the zoonotic disease surveillance system. It is reflected in the underreporting of epidemiological reports in some participants, which is corroborated by the experience they have had, either professionally or personally, that there are no adequate reports where there are reports that support the real situation of zoonoses in each municipality and finding underreporting of cases that occur in the country. Although it is suggested by the Tripartite Guide to deal with zoonotic diseases in the countries, countries, it is necessary for the national system to coordinate surveillance for the early detection of zoonotic disease events and the timely and consistent exchange of data between all relevant sectors dealing with zoonotic diseases and health professionals with other disciplines to deal with the problem of zoonoses. It is concluded that, for the comprehensive approach to zoonotic diseases, it is essential that health professionals include zoonoses as part of medical education; Likewise, collaborative practices for the prevention, treatment, and control of zoonoses and contribute to public health. On the other hand, contribute to the education of the community with the participation of doctors, nurses, and veterinarians to prevent these diseases.