Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Among Secondary School Students in Kano State, North West Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health burden in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting young populations in densely populated northern states. This study investigates the seroprevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) among secondary school students in Kano State, North West Nigeria, to provide baseline epidemiological data for vaccination policy. A cross-sectional design will be employed, recruiting 400 students aged 10 to 18 years across four local government areas selected through stratified random sampling. Blood samples will be collected and screened using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc markers. A structured questionnaire will capture demographic data, vaccination history, and potential risk behaviours. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests will be used to determine associations between seroprevalence and identified variables. Preliminary literature suggests HBsAg prevalence in Nigerian adolescents ranges from 5 to 15 percent, with vaccination coverage remaining inconsistent in public schools. Findings from this study will help identify unimmunised subgroups and inform school-based vaccination campaigns aligned with Nigeria's Expanded Programme on Immunisation. Results will be disseminated to the Kano State Ministry of Health and school health authorities. This research contributes to understanding the HBV disease burden among youth in North West Nigeria and supports evidence-based interventions targeting adolescent populations in resource-limited settings. Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, seroprevalence, secondary school students, Kano State, vaccination