Assessing the use of animal health platforms: user’s needs, preferences
and constraints
Abstract
Animal health information systems or risk analysis tools are
indispensable not only for animal health surveillance, but also to
observe the evolution and risk of disease incursion into a disease-free
area. Given their essential function in animal disease prevention,
different international and national organizations have created their
own aforementioned systems/tools. Moreover, with the increase of
technology and data storage, they have become more accessible and widely
used by professionals in animal and human health sciences. This study
aimed to establish their preferences, needs and constraints in respect
of these tools. An online survey was conducted and answered by 213
respondents from 132 countries. The respondents were animal or public
health professionals in different employment sectors (mostly in
government, research and university institutions) and various fields of
competency (highest for animal and public health). The majority of
respondents used the animal health information systems frequently and on
a weekly basis, with prevention measures of diseases being regarded as
the most useful information. Descriptive epidemiology is more
used/needed than analytical epidemiology. Risk analysis was performed by
the majority of the respondents (70%), using a qualitative approach
more than a quantitative or semi-qualitative. The primary objectives was
to produce risk assessment and preparedness in areas involving origin
and spread of animal diseases. The features most sought after in risk
assessment tools were pathways of introduction and spread assessment.
The level of satisfaction was higher for the platform which is most used
by the respondents. Thus, the platform choice is most likely influenced
by its efficiency and functionality. Overall, these results could be
taken into consideration when improving an already available platform,
or when creating a new efficient tool.