Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Prevention of Hepatitis B among College of Nursing Students, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to pose a significant global public health challenge, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). HBV is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of nursing students toward the prevention of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ado Ekiti. Using a descriptive research design, 152 students from ND1 and ND2 levels were selected through simple random sampling from a total target population of 246 students. Data were collected via a standardized and validated questionnaire adapted from previous studies, covering demographic information, knowledge of HBV prevention, attitudes, preventive practices, and perceived barriers. Ethical approval was obtained, and verbal consent from participants was ensured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations between variables were examined using chi-square tests at a significance level of p < 0.05. The study revealed that nursing students possessed high knowledge of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), with 86.8% recognizing it as a viral liver infection and 88.2% aware of the causative agent. Most students understood transmission routes, including blood transfusion, unprotected sex, and needle sharing (80.3%), as well as mother-to-child transmission (81.6%), and 85.5% acknowledged occupational risk for healthcare workers. Attitudes were generally positive, with 67.8% emphasizing personal protective equipment and 70.4% supporting proper sterilization. Preventive practices varied: 88.2% used gloves, 83.6% disposed of sharps properly, 74.3% avoided recapping needles, yet only 61.2% completed vaccination. Barriers included fear of side effects (83.6%), cost (71.1%), cultural beliefs (64.5%), and low awareness (73%), highlighting the need for targeted education, mandatory vaccination, and institutional support. The study found that nursing students had fair knowledge and positive attitudes toward Hepatitis B virus prevention, but preventive practices, including vaccination and screening, were inconsistent. Recommendations include structured education, mandatory immunization, integration of infection control in curricula, provision of protective equipment, and continuous monitoring to enhance compliance and reduce transmission risk. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Prevention,