Evaluation of a One Health programme to address antimicrobial resistance in Pacific Island Countries: a mixed-methods study

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms is a major global health challenge. We report on the approach and outcomes of a programme which aimed to take a One Health approach, incorporating an understanding that the health of humans, animals and the environment are linked. Combating the Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance in Pacific Island Countries (COMBAT-AMR) was funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Trade and designed to build capacity across human and animal health to address the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands between 2020 and 2023.Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with implementers, key stakeholders and participants across the programme themes (n=53). Evaluation of specific activities included participant surveys, competency assessments and document reviews.Both the human health and animal health sectors made significant progress in capacity-building and mentoring of local staff and collection and analysis of surveillance data. However, the sectors largely operated in parallel, with limited planning or resources allocated for explicit intersectoral activities. Resources allocated to animal health were also insufficient to compensate for under-resourced animal health sectors in comparison to human health sectors in the target countries.The increasing use of One Health approaches to address AMR necessitates careful consideration of strategies to support intersectoral collaboration at the design and implementation stages. The comprehensive evaluation of the COMBAT-AMR programme contributes to the current evidence base regarding operationalising One Health principles in building capacity in AMR in low- and middle-income countries.