Arabic Language Needs Analysis for Health Workers in Northern Nigerian Muslim Communities

Health workers operating in northern Nigerian communities with high proportions of Arabic-literate population are frequently required to communicate about health matters using Arabic vocabulary embedded in Islamic frameworks of the body, illness, treatment, and ethics, yet no formal Arabic for healthcare professionals training exists in the Nigerian context. This study conducts a systematic Arabic language needs analysis for health workers serving Muslim communities in northern Nigeria, focusing specifically on primary healthcare workers in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. Using the target situation analysis and learning situation analysis components of the Needs Analysis framework, the research administers questionnaires to 200 primary health workers and 100 community health volunteers across 30 primary healthcare centres, and conducts focus group discussions with 30 patients and community members regarding preferred language modes for health communication. The study identifies 85 high-priority Arabic health communication scenarios and the corresponding lexical, discourse, and cultural competencies required to navigate them effectively. Key findings include widespread patient preference for Arabic-embedded health discourse and significant health worker deficit in Arabic health vocabulary and culturally appropriate disease communication. The study proposes an Arabic for Healthcare module framework for inclusion in northern Nigerian health worker training curricula. Keywords: Arabic needs analysis, healthcare workers, northern Nigeria, language for specific purposes, Muslim communities.