This thesis explores the integration of public veterinarians in zoonosis management policy and action in Ghana with regard to the implementation of the internationally-led policy ideal: 'One Health' (OH). Drawing on theoretical contributions that examine professionalism, integration mechanisms and social processes, I researched vets' potential for OH in a context of new public health imperatives, limited resources and absence of targeted national strategy. During eight months of ethnography in Southern Ghana, I investigated veterinary professional characteristics using participant observation, interviews, document collection and a network survey. I analysed how veterinary perspectives, practices and relationships influenced the scope for integration of vets and their activities in zoonosis management, from the district-level clinics and offices to national-level institutions and international organisations. This work questioned whether and why Ghanaian vets would want to engage in OH integration with regard to their professional values and interests. It also sought to understand which practitioners and practices were professionally promoted or repressed and what were the main dilemmas or opportunities for local vets taking part in local zoonosis surveillance, prevention and control. Furthermore, it studied interactions in networks around zoonoses between Ghanaian vets and other actors, and their potential to create and maintain relationships that favour integration. This research contributes to critical knowledge on global health policy implementation by highlighting the importance of relationships and power dynamics both within and between professionals in relation to integration. This, I argue, can be done through more consideration of their professional values, interests and status, and the heterogeneity of all of these in a national context. The thesis also adds to the scarce literature on veterinary professionalism in low- and middle-income countries by providing 'thick descriptions' of veterinary perspectives, practices and network relationships.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:767022 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Valeix, Sophie Françoise |
| Publisher | University of Sussex |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/80593/ |
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