Medical Science Research Bulletin

This study determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and assessed risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure among undergraduate students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study enrolled 120 students using stratified random sampling. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire, while serum samples were screened for HBsAg using the Swe-Care HBsAg Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit; 60 respondents also underwent testing with an HBV 5-in-1 Combo Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26.0, with chi square tests and a significance level of p < 0.05. All 120 participants tested negative for HBsAg, giving a seroprevalence of 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0–3.0%). Among the 60 participants tested with the five-marker panel, 7 (11.7%) were positive for anti-HBs, while 53 (88.3%) were negative for all five markers. Most respondents had good knowledge of HBV (97.5%), but vaccination uptake was low: 17.5% had ever received a vaccine and 6.7% had completed three doses. The most frequently reported exposure-related factors were sharing sharp objects (28.3%), accidental blood contact (24.2%) and dental procedures (18.3%). Sex was significantly associated with vaccination status (χ² = 24.146, p < 0.001) and tattoo/body piercing (χ² = 6.584, p = 0.010). Although no HBsAg-positive participant was detected, the low vaccination coverage and limited serological immunity indicate continued vulnerability to future HBV infection.

Hepatitis B virus; HBsAg; seroprevalence; vaccination; risk factors; undergraduate students