Ann Dermatol.  2015 Oct;27(5):531-538. 10.5021/ad.2015.27.5.531.

Awareness, Knowledge, and Vaccine Acceptability of Herpes Zoster in Korea: A Multicenter Survey of 607 Patients

• Roh NK
• Park YM
• Kang H
• Choi GS
• Kim BJ
• Lee YW
• Lew BL
• Sim WY

• KMID: 2171453
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2015.27.5.531

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Herpes zoster (HZ) infection can significantly impair the quality of life of the affected individuals, and its treatment imposes a considerable cost burden on the health-care system and on society at large. However, there is little information on the perception of this disease and the acceptability of vaccines in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine the awareness of HZ and its vaccine, and to identify factors associated with the acceptability of the HZ vaccine among outpatients of dermatology clinics.
METHODS
A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 607 outpatients who visited the dermatologic clinics.
RESULTS
The responses of the patients revealed a high awareness of HZ (85.4%) but a relatively low knowledge about HZ and its vaccine (42.3%). The HZ vaccination rate among patients aged > or =50 years was 9%. A history of HZ infection, being older, and greater knowledge about HZ and its vaccine were associated with a higher HZ vaccine acceptability. Of those who had not been vaccinated, 58.3% were interested in receiving the vaccine. The most frequent reason for this interest was "severe sequelae," followed by "knowing someone who has HZ" and "recommendation from a doctor." High cost was the most common reason for unwillingness to receive the vaccination.
CONCLUSION
Despite a high awareness of HZ, vaccine acceptability was extremely low among this study cohort. Vaccination acceptability would be improved by encouraging doctors to educate elderly patients about the disease and the availability of vaccination, and by the provision of insurance coverage for HZ vaccination.

Keyword

Awareness; Herpes zoster; Knowledge; Questionnaires; Vaccination

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cohort Studies
Dermatology
Herpes Zoster*
Humans
Insurance Coverage
Korea*
Outpatients
Quality of Life
Vaccination
Vaccines
Vaccines

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Past illnesses of the participants.

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  Fig. 2 The least tolerable complications of herpes zoster (HZ).

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  Fig. 3 Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain associated with herpes zoster (HZ) infection among participants with past history of HZ.

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