Assessing the Role of Environmental Health Officers in Non-Communicable Disease Prevention in Kano State, North West Nigeria

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria is increasing rapidly, yet the specific role of environmental health officers in NCD prevention and control has received limited empirical attention. This study assessed the knowledge, capacity, and current practices of environmental health officers in NCD-related prevention activities in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive analytical survey was administered to all 240 registered and practicing environmental health officers in the state across all forty-four LGAs. Key informant interviews were held with representatives of EHOAN Kano State Chapter and the State Ministry of Health. The survey assessed NCD-related knowledge, attitudes toward NCD prevention roles, current practice activities, and perceived competency gaps. Findings showed that knowledge of environmental risk factors for NCDs, including air pollution, occupational chemical exposures, tobacco smoke, and unsafe food, was rated good in sixty-one percent of respondents. However, only twenty-nine percent reported actively engaging in NCD-related prevention activities in their LGAs. Barriers cited included absence of NCD-specific mandates in job descriptions, insufficient training, and limited intersectoral collaboration with health promotion departments. Capacity to conduct food safety inspections for NCD risk (excessive salt, trans fats) was limited in seventy-four percent of respondents. The study addresses a critical gap in understanding EHO roles in the shifting disease burden context. Recommendations include NCD competency integration into EHO training curricula, official mandate revision, and intersectoral NCD prevention frameworks at state level. Keywords: environmental health officers, non-communicable diseases, prevention, Kano State, NCD burden.