Stray Dogs in Türkiye: A Health Needs Assessment Proposal for Rabies Elimination

Abstract

This review article presents a comprehensive proposal for a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) aimed at eliminating rabies in Türkiye, with a focus on the country's growing population of stray dogs. It highlights the increasing numbers of unowned dogs in urban areas and the associated public health risks, including rabies transmission and dog attacks. The review emphasizes the importance of systematic data collection on the population, living conditions, and vaccination status of stray dogs, and the need for effective strategies to manage these animals. The proposed HNA involves collaboration with a consortium of stakeholders and utilizes frameworks and approaches such as Cavanagh and Chadwick’s 5-stage HNA framework and Stevens & Gillam’s approaches for conducting an HNA. The review outlines a detailed methodology structured into three work packages, focusing on epidemiological data production, identifying unmet health needs, and developing a national strategic rabies elimination plan. It discusses challenges such as consortium formation, data availability, stakeholder engagement, and cultural sensitivity, highlighting the impact and importance of the HNA in addressing rabies and stray dog management in Türkiye.

Keywords

• Rabies Elimination
• Stray Dogs
• Health Needs Assessment
• Consortium Collaboration

Türkiye'deki Sahipsiz Sokak Köpekleri: Kuduz Hastalığının Eliminasyonuna Yönelik Bir Sağlık İhtiyaç Analizi Önerisi

Abstract

Bu derleme, Türkiye'de kuduz hastalığının eliminasyonunu amaçlayan ve ülkenin artan sahipsiz sokak köpek nüfusuna odaklanan bir Sağlık İhtiyaç Analizi önerisi sunmaktadır. Kentsel alanlarda sahipsiz sokak köpeklerinin sayısındaki artışa ve kuduz bulaşı ve köpek saldırıları da dahil olmak üzere ilgili halk sağlığı risklerine dikkat çekilmektedir. Sahipsiz sokak köpeklerinin kontrolsüz artan nüfusu, yaşam koşulları ve aşılanma durumları hakkında sistematik veri toplamanın önemini ve bu hayvan popülasyonunu ve ilişkili riskleri yönetmek için etkili stratejilere duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulanmaktadır. Sağlık ihtiyaç analizi metodolojisi Bergen modeli ile bir paydaş konsorsiyumu ile iş birliğini içermekte ve Cavanagh ve Chadwick'in 5 aşamalı sağlık ihtiyaç analizi çerçevesi ve Stevens & Gillam’ın Sağlık ihtiyaç analizi yürütme yaklaşımları gibi çerçeve ve yaklaşımları kullanmaktadır. Derlemede epidemiyolojik veri üretimine, sağlık ihtiyaçlarının belirlenip sınıflandırılmasına, önceliklendirilmesine ve ulusal stratejik kuduz eliminasyon planının geliştirilmesine odaklanan üç iş paketi halinde yapılandırılmış ayrıntılı bir metodolojinin ana hatlarını çizmektedir. Konsorsiyum oluşturma, veri mevcudiyeti, paydaş katılımı ve kültürel duyarlılık gibi zorluklar tartışılmakta ve Sağlık ihtiyaç analizinin Türkiye'de kuduz ve başıboş köpek yönetiminin ele alınmasındaki etkisi ve önemi vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Kuduz Eliminasyonu
• sahipsiz sokak köpeği
• Sağlık İhtiyaç Analizi
• Konsorsiyum iş birliği

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