Understanding the Role of Extension Professionals in Public Health and One Health in Kansas

Abstract

This study aims to understand the roles of selected extension professionals (EPs) in the field of public health and One Health and the challenges involved in performing these duties to their communities in the state of Kansas. To evaluate the role of EPs in public health and One Health, researchers interviewed nine (9) EPs following a set of structured questions. Emerging themes were extrapolated from the responses of the EPs. Researchers assigned codes for qualitative analysis and assigned themes related to public health, One Health, and effective delivery of services. Researchers identified the following themes related to the role of EPs in public health (youth development, physical activity, personal health care, proper nutrition, access to transportation), One Health (food safety and food security, environmental health, disease control and prevention) and effective delivery of services (community engagement, collaboration, challenges in implementation). The study provided an overview of the diverse roles that EPs play in public health and One Health, keys on how to engage the community effectively, and challenges in extending services to the community.