Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis for “One Health” Approach in Thailand

Abstract

One Health is a concept by using interdisciplinary approach to disease prevention and control, embracing not only the principles of human health, but also animal health and environments. Strategy of development of disease surveillance, prevention and control system that is consistent with One Health concept has been under the National Strategic Plan for Emerging Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response 2013-2016. The objective of this study was to analyse strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to indicate a framework for further plans and identify strategies for One Health development in Thailand. The study population comprised officers from human and animal sectors who had experienced in the fields of prevention and control diseases by using One Health approach; and the data to be collected and analyzed were (1) internal and external factors for One Health operating in Thailand, and (2) rank important ratio coefficient of each item to identify what type of strategy should be under-taken. Attractiveness scores were calculated to reveal and prioritize the strategies. Based on the results, the score of the external and internal factors was 2.32 and 2.70, respectively. Based on a matrix, competitive strategies (ST strategy) were the suggested strategy for One Health development. In addition, by using the quantitative strategic planning matrix, the priority ST strategies were identified as follows: (1) building awareness of One Health among multi-sectoral units for preparedness and response of endemic and emerging infectious diseases, (2) coordinating and sharing surveillance data of zoonoses with database development by using innovative information technology, and (3) developing strategy for prevention and control mea-sures covering human, animal and wildlife welfare at the ports of entries. These 3 main strategies should be the priority areas selected by policy makers to be incoporated into the national disease prevention and control framework in order to achieve the goal of One Health approach in Thailand.