Community-Based Animal Health Worker Programmes: Evaluation and Improvement in Borno State

This study evaluates the performance and impact of community-based animal health worker (CAHW) programmes operating in Borno State, located in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. CAHWs serve as paraveterinary intermediaries providing basic animal health services in communities where formal veterinary access is constrained by insecurity, distance, and cost. Using a mixed professional evaluation design, 60 trained CAHWs across eight local government areas in Borno State were assessed through competency tests, activity records review, and structured interviews. Communities served by CAHWs and those without CAHW access were compared on livestock mortality rates, vaccination coverage, and farmer-reported animal health management practices. Programme coordination officials from the state Ministry of Livestock were interviewed regarding training, supply chain, and supervision arrangements. Findings revealed that communities served by active CAHWs had 34 percent lower livestock mortality rates and 48 percent higher vaccination coverage than unserved communities. CAHW competency scores were adequate for basic treatment and vaccination tasks (mean 68%) but poor for disease recognition and reporting (mean 41%). The most critical operational constraint was the irregular supply of veterinary drugs and vaccines to CAHW depots, reported by 80 percent of active CAHWs. The study recommends supply chain strengthening, regular CAHW competency refresher training, digital disease reporting tools, and formal recognition of CAHW services within the Borno State livestock health system. Keywords: community animal health workers, Borno State, livestock services, paraveterinary, North East Nigeria.