Abstract
Many One Health programs are inherently complex, characterized by multiple perspectives from multiple sectors, delivery across various scales, and a focus on complex problems at the convergence of people, animals, and the environment. This complexity makes them difficult to conceptualize, requiring frameworks to organize the different program components. Evaluation frameworks that unpack the sequence of events linking program activities to outcomes (e.g., Theory of Change) and track outcomes (e.g., Outcome Mapping) show promise in supporting the development of One Health programs. While widely used in international development and health contexts, there has been little reflection on the use of Theory of Change and Outcome Mapping within One Health efforts. This paper reflects on the process of applying these frameworks to conceptualize a One Health food safety program in Vietnam. We find Theory of Change fostered the characterization of a change pathway toward safer pork, while Outcome Mapping kept us informed of where along the change pathway we were. One Health programs considering evaluation frameworks should adopt elements that make sense to them, be intentional about co-designing the evaluation, and view evaluation as a process, not a product.
Highlights
The interaction between humans, live animals for sale, and food products in informal and open-air food markets creates risks for food safety and emerging infectious diseases [1]
Given the complexity of the food safety challenge in Vietnam, the engagement of multiple perspectives characteristic of One Health approaches, and the need for learning support throughout the SafePORK program, we were interested in a framework that was responsive to dynamic, real-world environments
Safe food practices need to be supported by broader environmental factors including slaughterhouse and market infrastructure, food safety procedures and enforcement, and certification and branding, which may be indirectly influenced by SafePORK
Summary
The interaction between humans, live animals for sale, and food products in informal and open-air food markets creates risks for food safety and emerging infectious diseases [1]. Understanding a program’s underlying theory is a promising strategy for supporting the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs, those with multiple interacting components [9, 10]. In response to the need to support learning within complex development programming, Theory of Change (ToC) and Outcome Mapping (OM) are receiving growing attention [11, 12]. OM is an approach to planning, monitoring, and evaluation that focuses on social change, placing development actors at the core of its processes [14]. Both represent a paradigm shift away from conventional evaluation by focusing attention on what must change before considering how change can be achieved
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