Surgical sterilisation is a core activity of free-roaming dog population management (DPM) programmes globally. However, there is limited published evidence on its impact at the population level. To support evidence-based decision making in this field, it is important that research conducted is relevant to those involved in working with free-roaming dogs and implementing such programmes. The aim of this study was to adapt the James Lind Alliance (JLA) user involvement approach to systematically identify the top 10 research priorities regarding the impact of canine sterilisation. International stakeholders with experience working in DPM were asked in an online survey what unanswered questions they had regarding the impact of sterilisation programmes. Thematic analysis of survey responses was used to develop a long list of collated indicative research questions (CIRQs). A literature review was performed to identify questions that were ‘true uncertainties’ (had not been answered by evidence review). These questions were reduced to a shortlist via an online interim prioritisation survey, and a Delphi consensus process determined the top 10 priorities. The top 10 questions related to dog population size and turnover, dog bite incidents, rabies control, implementation in the field and human behaviour change. These priorities were identified and shaped by people with direct experience of canine surgical sterilisation programmes, and as such are an essential resource for directing future funding and research. Addressing these priorities will generate evidence that is directly applicable to policy makers and practitioners who make decisions regarding the management of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) worldwide.

中文翻译：

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研究犬类外科手术绝育计划对自由漫游犬的影响的优先事项：国际优先事项设定伙伴关系

手术绝育是全球自由漫游犬群管理 (DPM) 计划的核心活动。然而，关于其对人口水平的影响的已发表证据有限。为了支持该领域的循证决策，重要的是所进行的研究与那些参与与自由漫游的狗一起工作并实施此类计划的人相关。本研究的目的是调整 James Lind Alliance (JLA) 用户参与方法，以系统地确定有关犬类绝育影响的 10 大研究重点。在一项在线调查中，具有 DPM 工作经验的国际利益相关者被问及他们对灭菌计划的影响有哪些未回答的问题。调查回复的主题分析被用于制定一长串整理的指示性研究问题 (CIRQ)。进行了一次文献回顾，以确定“真正的不确定性”（证据回顾尚未回答）的问题。这些问题通过在线临时优先排序调查缩减为候选名单，德尔福共识流程确定了前 10 个优先事项。前 10 个问题与狗的数量和周转率、狗咬事件、狂犬病控制、现场实施和人类行为改变有关。这些优先事项是由具有犬外科绝育计划直接经验的人确定和塑造的，因此是指导未来资金和研究的重要资源。