Investigating researchers’ perceptions and experiences in conducting clinical trials toward zoonotic diseases in Ethiopia
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: The emergence and resurgence of zoonotic diseases have continued to be a
major threat to global health and the economy. Developing countries are particularly
vulnerable due to agricultural expansions and domestication of animals with humans.
Scientifically sound clinical trials are important to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, and
treat zoonotic diseases, while there is a lack of evidence to inform the clinical trials’ capacity
and practice in countries highly affected with the diseases. This study aimed to investigate
researchers’ perceptions and experiences in conducting clinical trials towards zoonotic
diseases in Ethiopia.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive, qualitative study design. It included major
academic and research institutions in Ethiopia that had active engagements in veterinary and
public health researches. It included the National Veterinary Institute, the National Animal
Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, the College of Veterinary Medicine at Addis
Ababa University, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, the Armauer Hansen Research
Institute, and the College of Health Sciences at Addis Ababa University. In-depth interviews
were conducted with 14 senior research investigators in the institutions who hold a proven
exhibit primarily leading research activities or research units. Data were collected from
October 2019 to April 2020. Data analysis was undertaken using open code 4.03 for
qualitative data analysis.
Results: Five major themes, with 18 sub-themes, emerged from the in-depth interviews in
connection with. These were: challenges in the prevention, control, and treatment of zoonotic
diseases; One Health approach to mitigate zoonotic diseases; personal and institutional
experiences in conducting clinical trials on zoonotic diseases; barriers in conducting clinical
trials towards zoonotic diseases; and strategies that promote conducting clinical trials on
zoonotic diseases. Conducting clinical trials on zoonotic diseases in Ethiopia is hampered by
a lack of clearly articulated ethics and regulatory frameworks, trial experts, financial
resources, and good governance.
Conclusions: In Ethiopia, conducting clinical trials on zoonotic diseases deserves due
attention. Strengthening institutional and human resources capacity is a precondition to
harness effective implementation of clinical trials on zoonotic diseases in the country. In
Ethiopia where skilled human resource is scarce, One Health approach has the potential to form multidisciplinary teams to systematically improve clinical trials capacity and outcomes
in the country.
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Keywords
Clinical trial, zoonotic diseases, Ethiopia.