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How social science is invisible when tackling infectious disease epidemics and antimicrobial resistance
It is also recognized that disease is not solely determined by biological factors, but is socially constructed. Increasing responsiveness and comprehensiveness in interventions to address them requires expertise outside of traditional biomedical and epidemiological fields. [1, 2, 3]. The biggest challenge facing agencies when coordinating emergency responses is the lack of attention paid to contextual factors related to the outbreak and its root causes. Effectively addressing epidemics requires applying social science approaches that promote understanding of the social and situational determinants of disease transmission.
Social science in health plays an important role in understanding the factors contributing to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of One Health. This includes social, cultural, historical, and It involves a comprehensive engagement with economic and political factors. Experience, engage, and negotiate their situations.
In the midst of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and AMR epidemics, concerted efforts are needed to control them to minimize impact on health, food security, and livelihoods. Social anthropologists and medical anthropologists can focus on understanding the perspectives of lay people in the community and the community’s response to mitigation measures. Such understanding can help design culturally appropriate interventions that are more likely to be accepted by the community. For example, during the COVID-19 outbreak, it was recognized how the care of the sick, burial rituals, and associated management of remains contribute to the transmission of the virus. [4]. Certain traditional rituals associated with corpses (e.g. cleansing, next of kin sleeping with the corpse, etc.) continue to influence pandemic preparedness, as observed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consumption of wild meat such as baboons, bats, and animal carcasses facilitated outbreaks of infectious diseases in the region. Moreover, gender roles, power structures, and power relations continue to leave women and children vulnerable to infectious diseases and even death. These practices are widespread in the countries surveyed, and communities rely on health-seeking behaviors and decision-making processes (including economic resources) regarding when, where, who, and how to seek care. They are influenced by their culture, which influences how they respond. It remained in the hands of men. As we learned about mask use and vaccine uptake during COVID-19, political and religious influences in recent years are important determinants influencing the uptake of interventions. This is a feature.
Therefore, the integration of social sciences in tackling infectious diseases aims to contribute to a broader understanding of human-human, animal-human, animal-human-environment interactions, and vice versa. , to help identify risk practices that promote transmission. Socioanthropological studies of pastoralist communities living on the border with wild animals have focused on social and cultural norms aimed at maintaining specific cultural functions such as social cohesion and rites of passage. reveals how the dangerous consumption of animal products is embedded in This study highlighted the need for interventions to take into account broader social, cultural and economic arrangements in communities. [5].
It is also important to note that in situations of heightened uncertainty and anxiety, rumors can spread more rapidly and have complex effects on social behavior and thus on transmission dynamics and outbreak interventions. As social scientists have noted for a variety of infectious diseases, rumors also provide important insights into the common anxieties, mistrust, and political and economic realities that underpin community experiences of epidemics. [6-8]. Therefore, taking rumors seriously and engaging directly with communities is an important entry point for developing contextual approaches that respond to local needs.
Integrating social science into epidemic preparedness and control requires incorporating a multidisciplinary approach that considers the social and cultural context of the epidemic. This includes understanding how communities perceive and respond to epidemics and identifying potential risk factors and vulnerabilities. To date, however, the integration of social sciences in epidemic preparedness and control remains weak, fragmented, and underfunded. [9]. As a result, outbreak prevention and containment efforts by responders face challenges in timely notification, reporting, case management and prevention activities.
In many situations, disease containment is limited by inadequate strategies to address social, political, historical, and economic factors. Vulnerable women, people with disabilities, and children have repeatedly been adversely affected by infectious disease outbreaks due to a lack of comprehensive preparedness strategies that address all groups. Therefore, social science research is needed to address a wide range of issues that can lead to improved human health, food security, and livelihoods, and reduce AMR in humans, animals, and the environment. , its integration into recovery is essential.
A One Health social science approach that draws on anthropological theory and methods can contribute to a broader understanding of human-human, animal-human, and human-environment interactions. [10]. For example, this approach can show how individuals interact and react with their surrounding environment, and how these interactions affect society and the environment as a whole.
Additionally, using a gender perspective to address infectious diseases and AMR includes considering how gender roles, norms, and relationships influence control strategies and the emergence and spread of resistance. It will be. [11]. Women, girls and vulnerable groups remain disproportionately affected by existing inequalities and poverty. Therefore, it is important to pay particular attention to gender-focused research and develop interventions to ensure equitable access to prevention and treatment services.
Social science approach to infectious diseases and AMR countermeasures
Several approaches are being used, including digital technologies and nested citizen social science. This aims to ensure local surveillance and recognize the social and community aspects of the outbreak that can support different elements of emergency response, including rumor gathering. This will improve our understanding of how the consumption of information from different sources influences epidemic responses and beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors related to his AMR. In general, citizen social science involves involving citizens in the design or conduct of social research, including involvement in research processes such as data collection, analysis, and dissemination, and monitoring the impact of research. This makes it easier to openly address community voices and develop context-specific interventions from voiceless, marginalized and vulnerable communities. [12].
Examples of how citizen social science can be used by conducting simple ethnographies
Using a social science approach, the establishment of networks and active community engagement is important, and this is clearly demonstrated among community members, community health workers, community leaders, and health facility health workers. can be strengthened by existing structures with strong connections. Through the SACIDS with One Health Approach, social sciences are connected to the program areas of infectious diseases, AMR, and data science. Before the establishment of the One Health social science program under SACIDS, several sociological studies on infectious diseases and her AMR were conducted in previous programs. [5, 13-15]. Therefore, we are building on that early experience to strengthen broader application and integration of social sciences as human capabilities and smart collaboration improve.
A brief community ethnographic study using local health workers documented beliefs, rumors, and debates regarding COVID-19 and vaccine deployment. After receiving training, community health workers will travel to different parts of the region to observe and listen to rumors about beliefs, (mis)information, feelings and emotions regarding COVID-19 and vaccines. , documented. The survey results highlight concerns among community members about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. They had heard that the vaccine was aimed at reducing Tanzania’s population, so there were also concerns about a decline in the birth rate. Contradictory statements by political and religious leaders are said to cause further turmoil in the community. New president vaccinated in public changes vaccine reputation in Tanzania (Elizabeth H. Shayo, Mark Merchant, Sherry Rees)
Insufficient attention to the social sciences has made it difficult to establish the networks, rapid tools, and systems/approaches needed to collect high-quality social science data in a timely manner. To achieve this objective, SACIDS defines One Health as “a collaborative effort between natural and social scientists to advance the understanding of the interactions between humans, animals, and their environments in the endemic environments of southern Africa.” The vision is to protect society from devastating infectious diseases.Diseases affecting humans, animals and ecosystem products (crops, fruits, ornamentals), thereby promoting livelihoods, socio-economic development and the environment [16]. This definition highlights the relevance of strengthening One Health social science, a field that was minimally considered useful in addressing infectious diseases and AMR.
In conclusion, we see social science in health as a means to support the humanization of epidemic response and AMR efforts, creating strong ethical partnerships with local populations and health systems.
Click here to read and download the full e-book “Social Science in Health: A Neglected Approach to Tackling Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa”
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