title: Perceptions of herpes zoster and attitudes towards zoster vaccination among 50-65-year-old Danes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpes zoster (HZ or shingles) and its complication post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) are common in persons above 50 years of age. A vaccine that decreases the incidence and morbidity associated with HZ was licensed for use in 2006 and will be marketed in Denmark as from 2013. This study aimed to explore the relations between illness perceptions of shingles and attitudes towards zoster vaccination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three qualitative focus group interviews were conducted with 22 patients, relatives and individuals with no personal experiences with HZ. Semi-structured interview guides were applied including questions identified in a literature study. The data were analysed using a medical anthropological approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that HZ and PHN, in particular, have severe impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL) and often affect their relatives' daily lives as well. Nevertheless, people who have no experience with HZ underrate both its prevalence and its QoL impacts. Such misperceptions often result in delayed treatment and may lead to a low uptake of zoster vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individual attitudes towards zoster vaccination are closely related to subjective perceptions of HZ and views on vaccination in general. Vaccination recommendations to target groups are necessary, but individual choice is determined by knowledge about the disease, personal risk assessment and the recommendations of the general practitioner.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The study was funded by a research grant from Sanofi Pasteur MSD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: AnthroConsult, Fynsgade 24, 2. th., 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. glm@anthroconsult.dk
authors.forename: Gitte Lee
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mortensen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010465:Perception; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine