Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of herpes zoster vaccination among the general population in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Herpes zoster, or shingles, arises from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, particularly prevalent among the elderly and immunosuppressed. Despite the global trend of increasing HZ incidence, its prevalence in Saudi Arabia is not well established. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HZ vaccination among individuals aged 50 and over in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, addressing a significant gap in current research. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. The target population consisted of Saudi nationals aged 50 years and older. Data were collected using an adapted questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The responses were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Out of 690 participants, the majority had poor knowledge about HZ and its vaccine. Only 53% had heard about the shingles vaccine, and 87% demonstrated overall poor knowledge. Most participants (83.5%) were not vaccinated against shingles, with reasons including disbelief in vaccines, perceived healthiness, and lack of awareness. Interest in learning more about the disease and willingness to vaccinate upon doctor's recommendation were also noted. The study highlights a significant gap in knowledge and low vaccine uptake among the target population in Jizan. It underscores the need for educational initiatives and awareness programs to improve understanding and acceptance of the HZ vaccine. These findings can inform healthcare providers and policymakers in developing strategies to enhance vaccination coverage and ultimately improve public health outcomes in the region.