title: Acceptability of genital herpes immunization. The role of health beliefs and health behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about the acceptability of vaccines for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The purpose of this study was to examine potential predictors of genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) vaccine acceptability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship of health beliefs and health behaviors to HSV-2 vaccine acceptability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred twenty-one subjects participating in two phase III clinical trials for an HSV-2 vaccine completed surveys addressing health beliefs, health behaviors, and acceptability of hypothetical HSV-2 vaccines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bivariate analyses found that perceived benefits of vaccination, seatbelt use, a healthy diet, and having had cholesterol levels checked were associated with higher acceptability. Perceived limitations of HSV-2 immunization, alcohol use, and exercise were associated with lower acceptability. Multiple regression analysis identified perceived benefits of vaccination, decreased exercise, and lower alcohol use as significant independent predictors of greater HSV-2 vaccine acceptability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In groups of high-risk individuals who had completed participation in HSV-2 clinical trials, health beliefs and health behaviors influenced acceptability of hypothetical HSV-2 vaccination. The findings support the need to understand determinants of acceptance of vaccines for HSV-2 and other STDs.
authors.affiliation: Section of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Zimet
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fortenberry
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Fife
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tyring
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Herne
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014765:Viral Vaccines