A qualitative analysis of health information-sharing networks in the Indonesian poultry sector

This study obtained ethical approval from the Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing of Gadjah Mada University (Ref. No. KE/FK/0675/EC/2022). Participation to the interview was voluntary. Consent forms and information sheets were sent to all participants. Before starting the interview, the researcher explained the scope and objectives of the project. Participants were asked to provide written or verbal consent. When the interview was conducted remotely or when participants expressed cultural or political concerns over the signing of contract-like documents, explicit verbal consent was sought and documented using a recording device. Data was stored in secure folders with restricted access and de-identified before analysis.

International audience

English. Highlights: • The layer sector is fragmented, with a large proportion of independent farmers. • Health and production data is managed in siloed systems. • The lack of formal data-sharing mechanisms impairs capacity for surveillance and forecasting. • Private service providers have a central role in informal information-sharing networks.Abstract: Animal production systems are developing into increasingly complex value chains involving a large diversity of actors with multiple and dynamic linkages, concurrently creating many opportunities for disease spread. Access to timely and good-quality animal health information is vital for designing effective disease management strategies. However, several factors may hamper information flows along those chains. Understanding the structure and dynamics of information networks is essential to develop effective and acceptable health information systems. We applied a qualitative network approach to understand how information about poultry health is generated, disseminated and used for decision-making along the poultry value chain in Indonesia. Maps of the value chain and information networks were generated based on data from key informant interviews to illustrate the linkages and information-sharing patterns between stakeholders. Four types of farm business models were identified: company-owned, contract, partnership and independent. Although companies and most independent farmers collected health and production data routinely, their systems were strongly siloed and still relied on a mix of digital and paper-based methods, which impaired their analytical capacity. Technical service providers from the upstream sector and industry associations were identified as key intermediaries in the information-sharing network with the ability to create informal bridges between separate business networks and public actors. These actors can play a strategic role in the development of integrated information systems to improve stakeholders’ capacity to monitor, anticipate and manage disease threats at all levels of the value chain. This study contributes to fill an important knowledge gap regarding the layer sector and may help decision-makers to design effective policies and interventions tailored to the type of business model.