Herpes zoster awareness: a pilot centre analysis

Yıl 2024, , 704 - 711, 09.10.2024

Hasan Özdek Sayılır , Şükran Köse

https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1500710

Öz

Purpose: Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV),
typically occurring years after a primary VZV infection (chickenpox). This study aims to assess the awareness
of HZ and its vaccine among adults in Izmir, Türkiye, to inform future public health strategies and improve
vaccination rates.
Materials and methods: A survey was conducted in April 2024 among adults aged 18-69 years in Izmir, Türkiye,
using a random sampling method in urban and suburban communities. The survey, administered by healthcare
professionals in public, consisted of dichotomous questions to determine demographic characteristics and
measure knowledge about HZ and its vaccine.
Results: A total of 71 participants were included, with a mean age of 42.28±15.83 years. The gender distribution
was nearly equal (50.3% male, 49.7% female). Overall, 59.2% of respondents were aware of HZ, but only 18.3%
knew about the HZ vaccine. Women were significantly more likely to be aware of HZ than men (OR=2.79, 95%
CI:1.02-4.19, p=0.04). Age did not significantly correlate with disease or vaccine awareness. There were no
significant differences in disease awareness (χ²=0.58, p=0.75) or vaccine awareness (χ²=0.21, p=0.90) between
different age groups.
Conclusion: The study highlights a moderate level of awareness about HZ but a low awareness of the HZ
vaccine among adults in Izmir, Türkiye. Women were more likely to be aware of HZ, suggesting a gender
disparity in disease awareness. Public health initiatives should focus on increasing awareness of the HZ vaccine,
particularly older adults. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind low vaccine awareness and
develop strategies to improve vaccination rates.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Herpes zoster, shingles vaccine, herpes zoster awareness

Herpes zoster farkındalığı: bir pilot merkez analizi

Öz

Amaç: Herpes zoster (HZ) veya zona, varisella-zoster virüsünün (VZV) reaktivasyonundan kaynaklanır ve
tipik olarak birincil VZV enfeksiyonundan (suçiçeği) yıllar sonra ortaya çıkar. Çalışma, gelecekteki halk sağlığı
stratejilerini oluşturmak ve aşılama konusunda nosyon kazandırmak amacıyla İzmir, Türkiye'deki yetişkinler
arasında HZ ve aşısı hakkındaki farkındalığı değerlendirmek üzerine yürütülmüştür.
Gereç ve yöntem: Nisan 2024'te İzmir, Türkiye'de 18-69 yaş arası yetişkinler arasında, kentsel ve banliyö
topluluklarında rastgele örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak bir anket yapılmıştır. Sağlık çalışanları tarafından halka
açık olarak uygulanan anket, demografik özellikleri belirlemek ve HZ ve aşısı hakkındaki bilgileri ölçmek için
dikotomik sorulardan oluşmuştur.
Bulgular: Yaş ortalaması 42,28±15,83 yıl olan toplam 71 katılımcı çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Cinsiyet dağılımı
neredeyse eşitti (%50,3 erkek, %49,7 kadın). Genel olarak, katılımcıların %59,2'si HZ'den haberdardı, ancak
sadece %18,3'ü HZ aşısını biliyordu. Kadınların HZ'den haberdar olma olasılığı erkeklere göre anlamlı derecede
daha yüksekti (OR=2,79, %95 GA:1,02-4,19, p=0,04). Yaş ile hastalık veya aşı farkındalığı arasında anlamlı bir
ilişki bulunmamıştır. Farklı yaş grupları arasında hastalık farkındalığı (χ²=0,58, p=0,75) veya aşı farkındalığı
(χ²=0,21, p=0,90) açısından anlamlı bir fark saptanmamıştır.
Sonuç: Çalışma, İzmir, Türkiye'deki yetişkinler arasında HZ hakkında orta düzeyde bir farkındalık olduğunu
ancak HZ aşısı konusunda farkındalığın düşük olduğunu vurgulamaktadır. Kadınların HZ'den haberdar
olma olasılığının daha yüksek olması, hastalık farkındalığında cinsiyet farklılığı olduğunu düşündürmektedir.
Halk sağlığı girişimleri, özellikle yaşlı yetişkinler olmak üzere HZ aşısı konusunda farkındalığı artırmaya
odaklanmalıdır. Düşük aşı farkındalığının arkasındaki nedenleri araştırmak ve aşılama oranlarını iyileştirmek
için stratejiler geliştirmek için daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç vardır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Zona, zona aşısı, zona farkındalığı

Kaynakça

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