Integration of Nutrition Education into Primary Healthcare Services in Nasarawa State: A Programme Assessment

Primary healthcare centres serve as the first point of contact for nutrition-related counselling and intervention across Nigerian communities, yet the systematic integration of nutrition education into service delivery at this level remains inconsistent. This study assesses the extent and quality of nutrition education integration into primary healthcare services in Lafia and Akwanga local government areas of Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. Strengthening nutrition service delivery at the primary healthcare level is essential to achieving reductions in the dual burden of malnutrition across Nigeria. A health system assessment approach was adopted, combining structured observations of client consultations, interviews with 45 primary healthcare workers including nurses, community health extension workers, and environmental health officers, and exit interviews with 200 outpatient clients. Assessment dimensions included availability of nutrition communication materials, frequency and content of nutrition counselling delivered, nutrition-specific knowledge of healthcare workers, and client satisfaction with nutrition information received. Healthcare worker training records and facility nutrition commodity stocks were reviewed. Findings are expected to show that nutrition counselling is delivered inconsistently and often limited to antenatal clients, with community health extension workers undertrained in current dietary guidance. The study recommends investing in in-service nutrition training and deploying structured counselling job aids at primary healthcare facilities across Nasarawa State. Keywords: nutrition education, primary healthcare, health systems, Nasarawa State, nutrition counselling.