Empowering Communities Against Parasites: Advancing One Health through Genomics, Surveys, and Public Engagement in Southeast Asia

By Asst. Prof. Dr. Dusit Laohasinnarong and Team 

Editor: Anti Rismayanti, SEAOHUN Regional Program Manager 

Parasitic infections remain a persistent threat to health systems across Southeast Asia, exacerbated by growing resistance to anti-parasitic drugs in both human and animal populations. The “Communities Against Parasites (CAP)” project, supported by the SEAOHUN One Health Research and Training (OHRT) Transition Award, emerged from this reality with a dual mission: to predict patterns of drug resistance through computational science, and to improve public health behaviors through regional advocacy. Implemented from May to November 2024, this collaborative project brought together researchers and educators from Mahidol University (Thailand), Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University (Thailand), and the University of the Philippines Manila—uniting veterinary medicine, public health, and computational biology under the banner of One Health.

Implementation Experience

The CAP project operated on two interlinked tracks. First, the scientific arm employed computational and mathematical modeling to analyze parasite genomes and predict how specific protein mutations affect the binding efficiency of WHO-recommended anti-parasitic drugs. By focusing on parasites of zoonotic concern—such as Ascaris spp., Trichinella spp., and Trypanosoma spp.—the team aimed to forecast drug resistance trends before they escalate. Notably, key amino acid substitutions were found to reduce drug-binding affinity, offering molecular insight that can guide early surveillance and treatment strategies.

Simultaneously, the project’s advocacy arm engaged more than 275 individuals from various Southeast Asian communities through a region-wide webinar and an extensive Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey. This two-month pre-webinar assessment revealed both promising strengths and critical gaps: while over 90% of respondents understood basic food safety principles, only 14.38% adhered to full anti-parasitic drug regimens, and just 43.79% regularly dewormed their pets—highlighting vulnerabilities in both human and animal health behaviors.

Enhancement of One Health Knowledge and Skills

This project was a true crucible for enhancing both hard and soft skills in the One Health context. On the technical side, we strengthened competencies in bioinformatics, protein-ligand modeling, 3D structural analysis, and statistical interpretation. These are crucial tools for understanding and predicting drug resistance mechanisms in zoonotic and human parasites.

Equally important were the soft skills we developed: stakeholder engagement, community communication, ethics navigation, and interdisciplinary teamwork. From consulting with local farmers and teachers to coordinating with mathematicians for mutation modeling, the project underscored the importance of effective cross-sector collaboration. The hands-on experience in designing, conducting, and interpreting KAP surveys has significantly boosted our capacity to engage communities with science-informed public health education.

Improving One Health Education and Practice

As a faculty member of an OHUN-affiliated university, I recognize how deeply this project has enriched my perspective as an educator. The CAP experience will be translated directly into One Health curriculum development at Mahidol University. Students will engage with case studies drawn from our research, including real-world data on parasite resistance trends, behavioral gaps, and bioinformatics findings.

Moreover, the KAP survey methodology will be incorporated into student training, allowing future public health professionals to learn how to interpret behavioral data and design context-specific interventions. These enhancements will cultivate a generation of professionals who are not only grounded in science but also fluent in community engagement.

Anticipated Impact on Target Groups

Looking ahead, the CAP project is poised to create long-term ripple effects among its target groups. Our outreach and survey efforts have already increased awareness among the general public, but future activities will extend to school-age children and farming communities. Tailored content, localized in languages including Thai, Tagalog, Burmese, and Chinese, will be disseminated via online platforms and community-based programs.

Plans are underway to conduct follow-up surveys in six and twelve months to assess the retention of health knowledge and to identify new gaps. We are also exploring partnerships with local governments and NGOs to distribute educational materials more widely and to host in-person workshops, especially in rural areas with limited access to digital content. By institutionalizing these efforts, we hope to cultivate health-conscious behaviors and reduce infection and resistance rates sustainably.

Contributing to the Advancement of One Health

The CAP project embodies the spirit of One Health by connecting molecular science with grassroots action. By analyzing genetic mutations that drive drug resistance and directly informing communities about their implications, we’ve demonstrated how interdisciplinary research can have practical applications.

Our collaboration across countries and disciplines illustrates a regional model for One Health engagement. By sharing findings through international conferences and academic publications, and by involving both scientists and citizens, CAP is actively contributing to the larger movement toward integrated health systems that can respond to zoonotic threats, resistance trends, and public health misinformation.

Insights and Lessons Learned

Several key insights emerged from this journey. First, we learned that scientific rigor must go hand-in-hand with cultural sensitivity. Misunderstandings about parasite transmission—such as the belief that certain parasites only infect animals—highlighted the need for clear, accessible communication strategies. Second, digital tools can amplify outreach but must be supplemented with localized engagement, especially for older adults and rural populations.

We also learned that resistance monitoring can no longer be confined to laboratories. Communities must be educated and mobilized as frontline observers and actors. Lastly, building trust and maintaining transparency—particularly through ethics-approved survey practices and feedback loops—were essential in ensuring credible results and meaningful engagement.

Conclusion

The CAP project stands as a compelling example of how targeted research and public health advocacy can come together under the One Health framework. By exploring the molecular underpinnings of antiparasitic resistance and promoting behavior change through community education, we have laid the groundwork for systemic improvements in health surveillance and communication across Southeast Asia.

This experience has equipped our team—and the wider academic and public health community—with actionable insights, practical tools, and renewed energy to tackle zoonotic diseases and drug resistance in holistic, inclusive ways. We hope our work inspires further interdisciplinary collaboration and reminds stakeholders that sustainable health solutions require both advanced science and community empowerment.

Team Leader: Asst. Prof. Dr. Dusit Laohasinnarong, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Thailand

Team Members:

• Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University (MU-TM)

• College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila (UPM-CPH)

• Faculty of Science and Technology, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University (SSUR-SC)