Integration of Eye Care Services into Primary Health Care Delivery in Taraba State

Integration of eye care into primary health care is a globally endorsed strategy to improve coverage and sustainability of ophthalmic services, particularly in rural settings where specialist access is limited. This study assesses the extent and quality of eye care service integration into primary health care delivery in Taraba State, North East Nigeria. A mixed-methods study will be conducted at 20 randomly selected primary health centres across five local government areas. Quantitative data will be obtained through structured facility assessment tools evaluating the availability of basic visual acuity testing equipment, trachoma examination capacity, referral forms for eye conditions, stocks of essential eye medications, and trained primary health care workers capable of basic eye examination. Qualitative data from focus group discussions with community health extension workers (CHEWs) and key informant interviews with state eye care coordinators will capture implementation perceptions and barriers. Evidence from comparable Nigerian states indicates that fewer than 20 percent of PHCs have functional equipment for basic eye screening or personnel trained in ophthalmic first aid. This represents a critical gap in the continuum of eye care from community to tertiary level. This study generates Taraba State-specific data to guide the Taraba State PHC Management Board in developing an eye care integration action plan. Recommendations will address the CHEWs curriculum, equipment provisioning, referral pathway strengthening, and supervision frameworks. Systematic PHC integration is the most cost-effective pathway to universal eye health coverage in Nigeria's rural North East. Keywords: primary health care integration, eye care services, Taraba State, CHEW training, referral pathways