Abstract:

A high average prevalence rate of 11-13.7% % for viral hepatitis B exists in Nigeria. This study examined the barriers to access hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing among senior secondary school students in six public day secondary schools located in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau state. It also related the beliefs held on HBV in relation to barriers for access to HBV testing following the impact of a peer education intervention.

A quasi-experimental study was carried out on six hundred students selected by a multistage sampling technique. A pre-tested formal self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) was used to collect data pre and twelve weeks post intervention. Chi- square and students t-test was done to compare intervention and control groups on outcome variables. Results showed the age distribution of the respondents was 10-24 years with majority of respondents (86.7%) in the age group 15-19 years. The most frequent reason got as a barrier for accessing HBV test was ‘I did not know a HBV test was available’. This was related to the belief that ‘parents were keen to agree’ for the student to have a hepatitis B test done as shown by the chi-square test performed post intervention between intervention and control group using chi-square test was found. There was no significant difference in the belief by students: I have not done a HBV test. However, the students tested for HBV were only from the intervention group showing access to HBV testing was enhanced by its direct availability in the intervention schools. This is in line with the barrier by students that they did not have availability of HBV test. A prevalence rate of 9.1% was found on HBV testing among the students.

Keywords: Hepatitis B testing, secondary school, student, barrier, access, prevalence.

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