Herpes Zoster Epidemiological Model's Program: Its Effects on Elderly patients and Their Family Caregivers

Abstract

Herpes zoster strikes millions of older adults annually worldwide and disables a substantial number of them via postherpetic neuralgia. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate herpes zoster epidemiological model's program: Its effects on elderly patients and their family caregivers. Research design: A quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at the Out-patient Clinic of the Health Insurance Hospital in Helwan Distract. Subjects: A purposive sample was used to select 50 elderly patients and 50 of their family caregivers, who were included in this study. Tools: Used for data collection included an interviewing questioner, which consists of four parts: I. Socio-demographic characteristics of elderly patient and their family caregiver as age, gender, educational level, and occupation. II. Elderly patients and family caregiver's knowledge regarding herpes zoster as: meaning of the disease, causes, signs and symptoms, complications, and mode of transmission. III. An epidemiological model's information questionnaire that includes three aspects as; person, agent and environment. IV. Elderly patient's and family caregiver's practices regarding herpes zoster toward control and prevention as reported by them such as; patient isolation, using special equipment, using mask and gloves. Results: This study showed, statistically significant improvement of elderly patients' and family caregivers' knowledge, practices, and epidemiological model´s information regarding herpes zoster (3.66±2.401 to 7.70±4.0082, and 2.700±1.675 to 8.260±3.541) (4.140±4.646 to 8.600±2.777and 4.200± 4.458 to 9.240±1.559) (7.62±7.999 to 16.00±4.449 and 7.360±7.745 to 16.460±3.339) respectively post program implementation. Conclusion: Highly statistically significant effect on knowledge and practices of the elderly patients and family caregivers post epidemiological model's program. Recommendations: Dissemination of the epidemiological model for patients and family caregivers of herpes zoster during follow-up visits. An illustrated booklet should be provided with a description of disease control and prevention. Further researches are needed in other areas especially rural areas to estimate the effect of epidemiological model in disease prevention and control.