Community participation in veterinary public health and animal health in the Caribbean--results of a preliminary survey.

Veterinary public health and animal health activities are said to be a good entry point to get the community interested in their own health. Because of the pastoral traditions of veterinary medicine and the accompanying privilege of an intimate link with agricultural community life, veterinary public health and animal health workers are in and ideal strategic position to spearhead community organization and education across a much broader spectrum of health issues. A preliminary study on community participation in veterinary public health (VPH) and animal health (AH) in the Caribbean is herein presented. This study was conducted to pre-test two questionnaires which were developed to determine the extent to which the community is participating in VPH and AH programs in the Caribbean, and to identify ways and means to strengthen intersectoral collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Local Governments. Two questionnaires were designed to collect primary data. Eighty-two staff profile questionnaires were completed by staff belonging to six categories from 12 Caribbean countries and political units. The categories included Animal Health Assistants, Veterinary Public Health Assistants, Veterinarians, Extension Officers, Public Health Inspectors, and Artificial Insemination Officers. This questionnaire sought to obtain basic information on services provided, participation of staff in farmers organization, coordination between agencies, and training. Eighty-seven (87) farm profiles were completed by livestock farmers from eleven Caribbean countries and political units. This questionnaire sought to obtain basic information as to number and types of animals raised, role and services of Government staff, and farmers participation. Analysis of the different responses between the two groups demonstrated the potential value and application of the information that could be obtained from such a study. The results are discussed.

[Various aspects on the teaching of veterinary physiology in Latin America]. / Algunos aspectos sobre la enseñanza de la fisiología veterinaria en la América Latina

The results are presented from a PAHO/WHO survey conducted in 1974 with a view to ascertaining the characteristics of the teaching of veterinary physiology in Latin America. A total of 35 schools of veterinary medicine (out of the 69 existing at the time of the survey) replied to the questionnaire sent. In addition, the authors of this article visited 17 schools in seven countries. They examined the following aspects of the teaching of veterinary physiology in the schools surveyed: placement of the program (inside or outside the veterinary school), number of students enrolled in the courses, teaching personnel, student-instructor ratio; academic organization; course content; use of laboratory animals, text and reference books, and laboratory facilities and equipment. The problems faced in the teaching of this subject in Latin America include: lack of suitable instructors and the imbalance in the student-instructor ratio, study programs not geared to the needs of the country, wide variation in the number of hours devoted to teaching, and lack of coordination between this course and other subjects. A number of recommendations for solving those problems are put forward.