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Abstract
Background:
Herpes
Zoster (HZ), or shingles,
is a vaccine-preventable condition
that disproportionately affects
older adults and immunocompromised
individuals. Despite the availability
of the HZ vaccine, uptake
remains suboptimal in many
settings, potentially due
to poor awareness and misconceptions.
Aim:
This study aimed to assess
the awareness, knowledge,
attitudes, and barriers to
HZ and its vaccine among residents
of Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, quantitative
study was conducted among
500 patients aged 50 years
and older attending primary
healthcare centers (PHCs)
in Tabuk City over a six-month
period. Data were collected
using a validated, structured
questionnaire adapted from
previous literature and translated
into Arabic. The questionnaire
covered demographics, knowledge
of HZ and its vaccine, attitudes,
and sources of information.
Data were analyzed using SPSS
version 28, with descriptive
statistics and chi-square
tests to examine associations
between knowledge levels and
participant characteristics.
Results:
Among the participants, 56.0%
demonstrated good knowledge
of HZ, while 44.0% had poor
knowledge. Awareness of HZ
(76.8%) and its vaccine (68.4%)
was generally high; however,
gaps remained in the recognition
of symptoms and understanding
of disease impact. Factors
significantly associated with
better knowledge included
female gender (p = .012),
non-Saudi nationality (p =
.022), higher education (p
= .001), employment (p = .001),
prior infection or vaccination
history (p = .001), and using
the internet or healthcare
professionals as information
sources (p = .001). While
62.0% expressed willingness
to receive the vaccine, acceptance
increased to 81.4% if recommended
by a physician. Fear of side
effects and perceived low
risk were the main barriers
to vaccination.
Conclusion:
Although general awareness
of HZ is high among the Tabuk
population, significant knowledge
gaps and misconceptions persist,
especially regarding symptoms
and vaccine safety.
Keywords:
Herpes Zoster, shingles,
vaccine awareness, knowledge,
attitudes,
Saudi Arabia, primary healthcare,
Tabuk,
vaccination barriers.
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