Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute highly contagious
infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). In India, there is a
paucity of population-based studies and data on herpes zoster in reporting
herpes zoster cases. Several shreds of evidence reflect that the disease causes
a burden on population health in India. Besides several known risk factors,
myths, lack of knowledge, attitude, and practices towards treating this
infection may affect the quality of life and disease burden. Imparting
knowledge, awareness regarding myths and misconceptions, and early approaches
for treatment can help prevent disease and complications in the population. The
study aims to evaluate the impact of herpes zoster infection awareness programs
on myths, knowledge, and practices among the rural population.
Methods: This study is an interventional study that was conducted
over 4 months (July to October 2023) in the rural population of western
Maharashtra and Families of adopted villages by D.Y. Patil Medical College,
Kolhapur from the rural field practice area of the medical college. Our study
variables were myths about herpes zoster infection, knowledge about herpes
zoster infection, and attitudes and practices towards the treatment of herpes
zoster infection to evaluate the impact of the health awareness program on it.
Results: The awareness program which was the intervention in this
study, was effective in increasing the awareness about myths and knowledge
about herpes zoster infection as well as the positive impact related to
treatment practices for herpes zoster infection among the rural population in
the adapted villages in western Maharashtra. For example, this study showed an
improvement in the knowledge of the participants after implementing an
awareness program. This study showed that after the awareness program, 91.30%
of people learned it is a viral disease, and 85.34% learned that it is not a
superstitious thing.
Conclusions: The awareness program which was the intervention in
this study, was effective in increasing the awareness about myths and knowledge
about herpes zoster infection as well as positive impact related to treatment
practices for herpes zoster infection among the rural population in the adapted
villages in western Maharashtra. To change the attitude and clear the myths
need more effort and faith with more conversation, more visits, interactive
sessions, more trained, competent, and confident students, volunteers, and
community support for a better and more effective impact of this awareness
program.
Author(s)
Details :-
Sagar Goyal
D. Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
Akshay Salgar
Department of Surgery, LTMGH, and TMMC, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Gayatri G.
Dhavalshankh
Department of Pharmacology, D. Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur,
Maharashtra, India.
Sheetal .
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Sawangi(Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra,
India.
Ganesh P.
Dhavalshankh
Department of Dermatology, D. Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur,
Maharashtra, India.
Archana G.
Dhavalshankh
Department of Pharmacology, D. Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur,
Maharashtra, India.
Please see the book
here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rudhr/v7/7904C
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