Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection is one of the major global public health problems, with its attendant risks
especially among the young adults. This study was therefore carried out to assess the sero-prevalence of
hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and associated risk factors among students of a secondary school in Jagindi
Tasha, Kaduna State, Nigeria. One hundred and ninety (190) apparently healthy students were screened and
sera samples obtained were separated and analysed for HBsAg using a commercially available Enzyme Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-based kit (Dialab). Information was obtained for risk factors using structured
questionnaire. Out of the 190 samples screened, 35 (18.4%) were sero-positive. Subjects aged 13-15 years
recorded 6.8% positivity (2 = 1.084; p>0.05) and male subjects had 25.5% positivity compared to 10.9%
positivity for females (2 = 6.768; p<0.05). Risk factors such as blood transfusion was 32.0% among male
subjects compared to 30.0% in females (2 =18.07; p-value = 0.113). Furthermore, alcoholic consumption, the
predominant lifestyle of the youths in this community was 20.0% among male subjects as compared to none in
females. Unfortunately, the prevalence of HBV appears high among the studied population. This suggests that
public awareness on the virus be accorded urgent attention, while vaccination programme should be improved
in the community
