Unpacking the Theory Behind One Health Food Safety Programs: A Vietnam Case Study

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.763410
• Publication Date: 2021-12-02T00:00:52Z
• Authors: Steven Lam; Huyen Thi Thu Nguyen; Hai Ngo Hoang Tuan; Luong Thanh Nguyen; Hung Nguyen-Viet; Jenny-Ann Toribio; Huyen Le Thi Thanh; Hung Pham-Van; Delia Grace; Fred Unger
• Keywords: Unpacking; SAFER; Theory of change; Transformative Learning

Many One Health programs are inherently complex, characterized by multiple perspectives from sectors, delivery across various scales, and a focus on complex problems at the convergence of people, animals, environment. This complexity makes them difficult to conceptualize, requiring frameworks organize different program components. Evaluation that unpack sequence events linking activities outcomes (e.g., Theory Change) track Outcome Mapping) show promise in supporting development programs. While widely used international health contexts, there has been little reflection use Change Mapping within efforts. paper reflects process applying these conceptualize food safety Vietnam. We find fostered characterization change pathway toward safer pork, while kept us informed where along we were. considering evaluation should adopt elements make sense them, be intentional about co-designing evaluation, view as process, not product.