A Stakeholder Analysis of Schistosomiasis Diagnostic Landscape in South-West Nigeria: Insights for Diagnostics Co-creation

• Ngā kaituhi matua: Adeola Onasanya (Author), Maryam Keshinro (Author), Oladimeji Oladepo (Author), Jo Van Engelen (Author), Jan Carel Diehl (Author)
• Hōputu: Pukapuka
• I whakaputaina: Frontiers Media S.A., 2020-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Ngā marau: article
• Urunga tuihono: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2296-2565; 10.3389/fpubh.2020.564381
• Keywords: schistosomiasis; stakeholders; co-creation; diagnostics; power; interest; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 8 (2020)

Background: Schistosomiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases, is a water-based parasitic disease of public health importance. Currently, tests for Schistosoma haematobium infection either demonstrate poor specificity, are expensive or too laborious for use in endemic countries, creating a need for more sensitive, cheaper, and easy to use devices for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. To ensure engagement during the process of device development; and effective acceptance and use after the introduction of diagnostics devices for S. haematobium, there is a need to involve stakeholders with varying power, interest, and stakes in device co-creation, as well as those relevant for later use situation in the diagnostic landscape. The main goal of this study is to identify and analyze relevant stakeholders for co-creation using a power-interest matrix.Materials and Methods: The study was based on an action research methodology using a case study approach. A contextual inquiry approach consisting of 2 stages: stakeholder identification and interview; and stakeholder analysis was used. The field part of the study was carried out in Oyo State, Nigeria using a multistage cluster purposive sampling technique based on the category of stakeholders to be interviewed predicated on the organizational structure within the state and communities. A mix of qualitative research techniques was used. Identified themes related to power and interest were mapped and analyzed.Results: We identified 17 characteristics of stakeholders across 7 categories of stakeholders important for schistosomiasis diagnostics. Most of the stakeholders were important for both the co-creation and adoption phase of the device development for diagnostics. However, not all stakeholders were relevant to co-creation. Key Stakeholders relevant for diagnostics co-creation demonstrated significant social power, organization power, and legitimate power bases. Most of the stakeholders showed significant interest in the device to be created.Discussion: The power and interest of these stakeholders reveal some insight into how each stakeholder may be engaged for both co-creation and device usage. The involvement of relevant actors who will also be important for co-creation and implementation, will simplify the engagement process for the critical stakeholders, increase the ability to manage the process, and increase diagnostic device acceptability.