Table 1.

Topics and example questions used in semi-structured interviews in a study to identify factors that will influence the acceptability and value of community-based rabies surveillance in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Topic 1: effective modes of communication within and between communities. If there is an important announcement for the community, how do you make sure that everybody knows about it? How do people communicate between communities? How do you think we could get people to tell us concerns about their dogs?

Topic 2: motivation and barriers to report concerns about dogs to other community members or organizations. What is the value of dogs to individuals; for example, is there connection to dogs through culture and what is the purpose of keeping dogs? What would motivate you to report health concerns about your dog? Why wouldn’t you report health concerns about your dog?

Topic 3: levels of expectations about dog health. What diseases do you see in your dogs? Informants’ descriptions of clinical signs associated with endemic differential diagnoses of rabies (for example, snake envenomation and cane-toad intoxication), Awareness and level of concern about dog health, Current level and perception of need for veterinary care in the community.

Topic 4: awareness of biosecurity regulations and rabies. Have you heard of rabies? When you travel, are you aware of quarantine zones and biosecurity requirements? This question was specific to PNG, Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area residents.

Topic 5: human health and perspectives on community dogs by health workers. Do residents seek treatment for bite wounds at health centers? Do you like community dogs and acknowledge them when they come with their owners to the clinic, or you visit patients in their homes? What do you think is the most appropriate way to deliver health messages to community members?