Investigating Researchers Perceptions And Experiences In Conducting Clinical Trials Toward Zoonotic Diseases In Ethiopia

Background: The emergence and resurgence of zoonotic diseases have continued to be arnmajor threat to global health and the economy. Developing countries are particularlyrnvulnerable due to agricultural expansions and domestication of animals with humans.rnScientifically sound clinical trials are important to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, andrntreat zoonotic diseases, while there is a lack of evidence to inform the clinical trials’ capacityrnand practice in countries highly affected with the diseases. This study aimed to investigaternresearchers’ perceptions and experiences in conducting clinical trials towards zoonoticrndiseases in Ethiopia. rnMethods: This study employed a descriptive, qualitative study design. It included majorrnacademic and research institutions in Ethiopia that had active engagements in veterinary andrnpublic health researches. It included the National Veterinary Institute, the National AnimalrnHealth Diagnostic and Investigation Center, the College of Veterinary Medicine at AddisrnAbaba University, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, the Armauer Hansen ResearchrnInstitute, and the College of Health Sciences at Addis Ababa University. In-depth interviewsrnwere conducted with 14 senior research investigators in the institutions who hold a provenrnexhibit primarily leading research activities or research units. Data were collected fromrnOctober 2019 to April 2020. Data analysis was undertaken using open code 4.03 forrnqualitative data analysis. rnResults: Five major themes, with 18 sub-themes, emerged from the in-depth interviews inrnconnection with. These were: challenges in the prevention, control, and treatment of zoonoticrndiseases; One Health approach to mitigate zoonotic diseases; personal and institutionalrnexperiences in conducting clinical trials on zoonotic diseases; barriers in conducting clinicalrntrials towards zoonotic diseases; and strategies that promote conducting clinical trials onrnzoonotic diseases. Conducting clinical trials on zoonotic diseases in Ethiopia is hampered byrna lack of clearly articulated ethics and regulatory frameworks, trial experts, financialrnresources, and good governance. rnConclusions: In Ethiopia, conducting clinical trials on zoonotic diseases deserves duernattention. Strengthening institutional and human resources capacity is a precondition tornharness effective implementation of clinical trials on zoonotic diseases in the country. InrnEthiopia where skilled human resource is scarce, One Health approach has the potential to form multidisciplinary teams to systematically improve clinical trials capacity and outcomesrnin the country.

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