Bridging sectors for zoonotic disease control: Analysis of multisectoral One Health enablers in Tanzania

Abstract Background : Tanzania’s rich diversity and human-animal-environment interactions have intensified the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks, highlighting the need for a robust One Health (OH) approach. Despite the establishment of national OH frameworks, operational challenges in multisectoral coordination, communication, and collaboration persist at all levels. This study aims to examine the association of factors influencing OH implementation in Tanzania, with a focus on zoonotic disease prevention and control among key OH actors at all levels. Methods : A cross-sectional study conducted in three regions of Tanzania between June and August 2023 to explore factors influencing multisectoral coordination and collaboration in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases. Data were collected from 101 officials from human health, livestock, environment, crop agriculture, and wildlife sectors, using semi-structured questionnaires. Demographic characteristics, sectoral affiliation, and key OH implementation variables, including awareness, coordination, communication, training, joint surveillance, data sharing, and Funding, were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests at p ≤ 0.05. Results : Results revealed a significant variation in OH awareness across sectors (p < 0.01), with the livestock sector showing high awareness level (95.5%), followed by wildlife (53.9%) and human health (34.2%). Low awareness was noted in the environment (33.3%) and crop agriculture (18.8%) sectors. Awareness did not significantly differ by gender but increased with age (p = 0.00582). Sectoral differences were significant in involvement in multisectoral coordination (p = 0.0022), whereas communication means did not vary by gender, age, or sector. Training in Key OH components (p = 0.0052), workforce capacity (p = 0.0015), zoonotic surveillance (p = 0.0032), data sharing (p = 0.0267), and budget (p = 0.0273) showed notable disparities across sectors. The health sector had more staff and financial resources, but existing guidelines did not have much impact on how OH was put into practice. Conclusions : Existing policy frameworks, inclusive training, equitable resource allocation, interoperable communication systems, and institutionalized coordination mechanisms are key to effective OH implementation. Addressing sectoral disparities and strengthening operational enablers will be critical to advancing Tanzania’s OH agenda and enhancing public health resilience. These findings offer actionable insights for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers working to operationalize OH in low-resource settings. One Health impact statement Multisectoral coordination is essential for effective One Health (OH) implementation, as it facilitates integrated responses to complex health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. In Tanzania, this approach has enhanced disease surveillance, institutionalized cross-sectoral governance, and fostered community engagement in early detection of diseases and response to disease outbreaks, including Marburg and Leptospirosis. The adoption of a transdisciplinary research model that incorporates academic, experiential, local, and indigenous knowledge has further enriched the relevance and impact of OH initiatives. This integrative approach facilitates joint creation of impactful knowledge tailored to specific local contexts, promotes equitable participation, and stimulates innovative solutions and actionable outcomes. By embracing a range of knowledge systems, including indigenous ecological insights and community-driven practices, researchers have formulated solutions that are both adaptable and culturally aligned with local contexts. Therefore, this study is relevant as it aims to strengthen multisectoral OH coordination and collaboration to promote resilience and contribute to sustainable health and development outcomes.