Abstract

*Naif Edah Alomairi

ABSTRACT

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is often accompanied by post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Vaccination has been shown to decrease the burden of HZ and PHN and minimize the severity of the disease. Objective: To explore awareness and knowledge about Herpes Zoster disease and attitude towards its vaccination among general population. Subjects and methods: An online population-based cross-sectional study was conducted online in Taif city, Western Region of Saudi Arabia among aduls aged 18 and above, livng in the city. An online validated self-reported questionnaire was utilized for data collection. It is composed of five main sections: Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, awarness about HZ, its vaccine and source of information, assessment of HZ and its vaccine knowledge, attitude towards HZ and its vaccine, and acceptance rate to have HZ vaccination for those aged 50 years and above. Results: A total of 337 adult were included in this study. Nearly half of them (48.7%) aged between 26 and 45 years. Majority of the participants (85.5%) have heard about the HZ disease and their main source of information was family members (30.8%), followed by internet/social media (23.3%). Almost one-third (34.7%) of the participants reported having recommendation to uptake herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine by heath care professionals. Overall, 43.6% of the participants expressed good level of knowledge about HZ disease and its vaccine Only two varibles weresignificantly associated with poor level of knowledge about HZ disease and its vaccine in multivariate analyis; previous history of infection with HZ and knowing anyone among acquaintances who have received the HZ vaccine. Most of the participants believed that HZ can be prevented (67.7%) and treated (74.4%) and amost half (50.2%) of them are willing to take the herpes HZ (shingles) vaccine if asked to do so. Conclusion: Majority of adult poopulation were aware of HZ disease and a considerable proportion of them have heard of HZ vaccine and almost half of them were willing to receive the vaccine, if recommeded by healthcare professionals. However, their level of knowledge about HZ disease and its vaccine was overall suboptimal.