Integrating Veterinary Public Health into Primary Healthcare Delivery in Rural Ekiti State

Primary healthcare in rural Nigeria rarely incorporates veterinary public health services despite the high burden of zoonotic diseases affecting farming communities. This study investigated the feasibility and framework for integrating veterinary public health functions into primary healthcare delivery in rural local government areas of Ekiti State, South West Nigeria. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed. Structured questionnaires were administered to 120 primary healthcare workers and 20 veterinary extension officers. Key informant interviews were conducted with 15 local government health administrators. Case study documentation of an existing co-management pilot in Ido-Osi Local Government Area was also conducted. Survey results showed that 71.7% of primary healthcare workers supported integrated service delivery but lacked training in recognizing zoonotic disease signs. Veterinary officers reported that primary healthcare facilities were logical partners for community disease reporting. The pilot case study demonstrated that integrating zoonosis education into antenatal and routine immunization contacts increased rabies and brucellosis awareness by a measurable margin within six months. Administrative barriers including separate reporting lines and budget silos were identified as structural impediments. The study concludes that integration of veterinary public health into rural primary healthcare in Ekiti State is both feasible and desirable. Recommendations include cross-training curricula, joint community health worker deployment models, and shared budget mechanisms at the local government level. Keywords: veterinary public health, primary healthcare integration, rural health, Ekiti State, One Health