Using participatory approaches to assess the acceptability of surveillance systems: The case of bovine tuberculosis in Belgium

<b>Project Summary</b>: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) surveillance in Belgium is essential to maintain the officially free status and to preserve animal and public health. An evaluation of the system is thus needed to ascertain the surveillance provides a precise description of the current situation in the country. The evaluation should assess stakeholders’ perceptions and expectations about the system due to the fact that the acceptability has an influence on the levels of sensitivity and timeliness of the surveillance system. The objective of the study was to assess the acceptability of the bTB surveillance in Belgium, using participatory tools and the OASIS flash tool (‘analysis tool for surveillance systems’). For the participatory process, focus group discussions and individual interviews were implemented with representatives involved with the system, both from cattle and wildlife part of the surveillance.
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<b>Data Abstract</b>: The shared data are anonymized transcripts of participatory interviews implemented in Belgium in the frame of the evaluation of the bovine tuberculosis surveillance system. Participants to the interviews were selected according to their role in the Belgium bovine tuberculosis surveillance system (e.g. private veterinarian, farmer) and to their willingness to take part to such a study.</p>