Assessing the Effectiveness of a Structured Education Program on Hepatitis B Awareness among Secondary School Students in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria

Background: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured education program in improving Hepatitis B knowledge among secondary school students in Gombe State, Nigeria, focusing on causes, prevention, and demographic influences. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed using a convenience sampling method to select 200 students between November 5–19, 2023. A pre-test and post-test evaluation assessed participants' knowledge of Hepatitis B. The structured teaching program incorporated interactive lectures, visual aids (such as infographics), and a question-and-answer session. Data collection was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire, including sociodemographic details and knowledge-based questions. Analysis was performed using paired descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in SPSS Statistics (version 27.0; IBM Corp.). Results: The educational intervention significantly improved students’ knowledge (mean difference = 0.555, p < 0.001). Age and class were significant factors, with students aged 12–14 years and those in junior classes demonstrating higher knowledge scores. There was no significant association between knowledge and sex. The mean knowledge score increased from 1.269 to 1.824 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The structured teaching program effectively enhanced Hepatitis B knowledge among secondary school students in Gombe State. Tailoring interventions based on age and class can optimize educational outcomes. This study highlights the importance of targeted health education in combating Hepatitis B in schools.