New PhD student at SWEDESD
We are happy to welcome our new PhD student Jasmine Arcilla who is doing her PhD "A holistic One Health approach to address Taenia solium in Uganda: Exploring the gender structures in WASH and the pork value chain" at the Centre for Gender Research at Uppsala University and in collaboration with SWEDESD.
What is the project about?
Taenia solium, more commonly known as pork tapeworm, is a zoonotic parasite that inflicts a heavy burden of disease in both humans and pigs, and has long been considered as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the World Health Organization. There have been a number of interventions done, both as public health and veterinary measures, particularly in endemic countries such as Uganda and Eastern Zambia. However, most have worked in silos or have not considered certain social, cultural and environmental contexts that influence the transmission of this parasite. Moreover, only in recent times have certain gender structures been integrated in the One Health approach and, likewise, considered as contributory factors in the persistence of this zoonosis—especially in areas with poor Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices.
In order to address this issue, this research will create the foundation for creating more holistic One Health-WASH interventions. More specifically, it will begin by developing a better understanding on the socioecological structures, such as gender, in WASH implementation that continuously leads to the transmission of Taenia solium in pig farming communities in Uganda. A specific focus will be given on how gender shapes the risk perception of the parasite—eventually influencing the WASH behaviour of local pig farmers, as well as the caretaking practices and overall wellbeing of the farmed pigs.