A DIAGNOSTIC STUDY OF HEPATITIS B AWARENESS AND VACCINATION COMPLIANCE: A CASE STUDY OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BAUCHI STATE

A DIAGNOSTIC STUDY OF HEPATITIS B AWARENESS AND VACCINATION COMPLIANCE: A CASE STUDY OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BAUCHI STATE

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to pose a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it remains highly endemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), over 296 million people globally are living with chronic HBV infection, with approximately 1.5 million new infections annually. Nigeria, being one of the most affected countries in Africa, has a national prevalence estimated at 8.1%, placing it in the high-intermediate endemicity category (Olayinka et al., 2016). The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids, and if not adequately managed, it can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

 

Young adults in tertiary institutions are considered a key demographic for public health interventions against HBV due to their age-related risk factors, including unsafe sexual practices, body piercing, tattooing, and possible exposure in medical and laboratory settings. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine and national policies advocating immunization, awareness and compliance levels among students and staff in Nigerian higher education institutions remain suboptimal (Awosan et al., 2018). This gap poses serious implications for the control and eventual elimination of hepatitis B in the country.

In Bauchi State, a region with a high burden of infectious diseases, the situation is particularly concerning. While the state hosts several tertiary institutions, little is known about the actual level of awareness and vaccination compliance among their populations. Existing health outreach efforts have not adequately targeted university and polytechnic communities, where both medical and non-medical students are at varying degrees of exposure risk. Understanding the level of awareness and the extent of vaccination uptake within this population is crucial for designing effective intervention strategies.

This study, therefore, seeks to diagnose the current state of hepatitis B awareness and vaccination compliance among students and staff in selected tertiary institutions in Bauchi State. It explores the level of knowledge about hepatitis B, investigates attitudes toward vaccination, and assesses institutional and individual barriers to vaccine uptake. Findings from this research will provide evidence-based recommendations for improving public health campaigns and vaccination programs in the higher education sector.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite years of advocacy and the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, hepatitis B continues to spread among young adults in Nigeria. Tertiary institutions, which house large numbers of adolescents and young adults, are increasingly becoming critical hotspots for potential HBV transmission due to behavioral and occupational risk factors. In Bauchi State, anecdotal reports and limited empirical data suggest that both awareness and vaccination coverage for hepatitis B in tertiary institutions are low, particularly outside of medical departments.

The absence of structured health education on hepatitis B, coupled with inadequate access to affordable vaccination services on campuses, has created an environment where misinformation, apathy, and fear persist. Previous studies have reported that students often lack comprehensive knowledge about hepatitis B transmission, symptoms, and the importance of full vaccine compliance (Ijeoma et al., 2020). In addition, many institutions lack mandatory screening and vaccination protocols for their students and staff, thereby allowing the disease to spread undetected within campus populations.

Given the public health significance of hepatitis B, the lack of strategic data on awareness levels and vaccination compliance in Bauchi State’s higher institutions presents a critical gap. This study aims to fill that gap by assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to hepatitis B among students and staff, and by identifying institutional weaknesses in vaccine promotion. Without such information, public health authorities and academic institutions cannot formulate effective policies for reducing HBV transmission and achieving national hepatitis elimination goals.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To assess the level of awareness of hepatitis B infection among students and staff in selected tertiary institutions in Bauchi State.

To evaluate the level of compliance with hepatitis B vaccination among the target population.

To identify the barriers to effective hepatitis B vaccination uptake in tertiary institutions in Bauchi State.

1.4 Research Questions

What is the level of awareness of hepatitis B infection among students and staff in selected tertiary institutions in Bauchi State?

What is the level of hepatitis B vaccination compliance in the selected institutions?

What factors hinder effective hepatitis B vaccine uptake in these tertiary institutions?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0₁: There is no significant relationship between awareness of hepatitis B and vaccination compliance among students and staff in Bauchi State tertiary institutions.

H0₂: Institutional support does not significantly affect hepatitis B vaccination uptake in tertiary institutions in Bauchi State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant for several reasons. First, it contributes to the limited body of literature on hepatitis B awareness and vaccination behavior among students and academic staff in northern Nigeria. Second, it provides actionable data for public health authorities, educational administrators, and policymakers seeking to implement hepatitis B prevention programs in tertiary institutions. Third, it helps to identify practical barriers that hinder vaccination compliance, offering recommendations for targeted interventions such as campus-based vaccination drives, awareness seminars, and health policy reforms.

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study is limited to selected tertiary institutions within Bauchi State, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. It focuses on both students and academic/non-academic staff, regardless of departmental affiliation. Limitations may include self-reported data that may be subject to recall bias, and logistical challenges in accessing complete institutional vaccination records. The study also does not extend to secondary schools or the general community.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Hepatitis B: A viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that affects the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic diseases.

Awareness: The level of knowledge and understanding of hepatitis B infection, its modes of transmission, symptoms, and prevention.

Vaccination Compliance: The extent to which individuals have received all recommended doses of the hepatitis B vaccine.

Tertiary Institutions: Higher education establishments including universities, polytechnics, and colleges.

1.9 Structure of the Study

This study is organized into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the research problem, objectives, and significance. Chapter Two reviews related literature and theoretical perspectives. Chapter Three presents the methodology. Chapter Four reports the findings and data analysis. Chapter Five concludes with a summary of findings, implications, and recommendations.

 

References

Awosan, K. J., Ibrahim, M. T., Yunusa, E. U., & Isah, B. A. (2018). Knowledge, risk perceptions and practices on hepatitis B infection among students of a Nigerian tertiary institution. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 10(6), 194–201.

Ijeoma, U. L., Ezeonu, F. C., & Okafor, G. C. (2020). Compliance with hepatitis B vaccination among university students in Southeast Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 23(4), 562–568.

Olayinka, A. T., Oyemakinde, A., Balogun, M. S., Ajudua, A., Nguku, P., Aderinola, M., & Gidado, S. (2016). Seroprevalence of hepatitis B infection in Nigeria: A national survey. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 95(4), 902–907.

World Health Organization. (2023). Hepatitis B. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b