A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding Herpes zoster among people from selected areas of Pune city

Abstract

Background: Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant after a chickenpox infection. The primary cause of the increased incidence of Herpes zoster with age is the decline in cell-mediated immunity (immunosenescence). While individuals with immunosuppressive conditions are at higher risk, adults over 50 are particularly vulnerable. A Korean study found the incidence of Herpes zoster to be 2.0 per 1,000 person-years among those with children, and 21.8 per 1,000 person-years for those aged 70-79. The peak incidence occurs between the ages of 60-69, with a slight decrease in those over 80. This study aims to assess knowledge about Herpes zoster among individuals in selected areas of Pune city. Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive survey design was employed in this study. Data were gathered from 400 participants through a demographic and clinical profile questionnaire. The non-probability convenient sampling method was used to select participants. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the collected data. Results: The findings revealed that the majority of participants (64.25%) possessed an average level of knowledge regarding Herpes zoster. A notable proportion (31.5%) exhibited poor knowledge, with a mean score of 15.6 and a standard deviation of 4.87. Only 4.25% of participants demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the subject. Conclusion: while awareness of Herpes zoster is widespread, significant gaps in knowledge persist, particularly among a large portion of the population.