Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population, herpes zoster patients, and dermatologists toward herpes zoster in China: A quantitative cross-sectional survey

Figures & data

Figure 1. Study attrition diagram.

HZ: herpes zoster.

Table 1. Baseline participant demographics and characteristics.

	General population (N = 804)	HZ patients (N = 282)
A) General population and HZ patients
Gender, n (%)
Female	487 (60.57)	169 (59.93)
Male	317 (39.43)	113 (40.07)
Age, years, mean (SD)^a	56.19 (9.62)	63.59 (9.11)
Age range, years^a	40–86	50–86
Chronic disease history/recent health condition, n (%)
Hyperlipidaemia	115 (14.30)	60 (21.28)
Hypertension	217 (26.99)	100 (35.46)
Diabetes mellitus^b	78 (9.70)	44 (15.60)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	8 (0.99)	5 (1.77)
Cardiovascular disease	64 (7.96)	28 (9.93)
Chronic kidney disease	7 (0.87)	7 (2.48)
Systemic lupus erythematosus	3 (0.37)	1 (0.35)
Overwork^c	140 (17.41)	92 (32.62)
High pressure^c	185 (23.01)	61 (21.63)
Number of HZ episodes, mean (SD)	–	1.152 (0.448)
Number of HZ episodes, median (range)	–	1 (1–5)
Respondents with ≥ 1 episode of HZ, n (%)	–	36 (12.77)
Age, years, n (%)
40–49	220 (27.36)	0 (0.00)
50–59	289 (35.95)	113 (40.07)
60–69	225 (27.99)	95 (33.69)
70–79	62 (7.71)	59 (20.92)
≥80	8 (0.99)	15 (5.32)
Education level, n (%)
Junior high school or less	326 (40.55)	141 (50.00)
High school/secondary technical school	220 (27.36)	76 (26.95)
Junior college/university (undergraduate)	226 (28.11)	57 (20.21)
University (postgraduate or above)	32 (3.98)	8 (2.84)
Monthly household income, n (%)
CNY ¥<5,000 (est. USD $<800)	146 (18.16)	64 (22.70)
CNY ¥5,000–¥9,999 (est. USD $800–$1,599)	282 (35.07)	98 (34.75)
CNY ¥10,000–¥29,999 (est. USD $1,600–$4,799)	302 (37.56)	85 (30.14)
CNY ¥30,000–¥49,999 (est. USD $4,800–$7,999)	44 (5.47)	18 (6.38)
CNY ¥≥50,000 (est. USD $≥8,000)	30 (3.73)	17 (6.03)
Total number of family members, n (%)
1	22 (2.74)	16 (5.67)
2	177 (22.01)	77 (27.30)
3	258 (32.09)	71 (25.18)
≥4	347 (43.16)	118 (41.84)
Awareness of chickenpox, n (%)
Yes	716 (89.05)	248 (87.94)
No	52 (6.47)	34 (12.06)
Unsure/cannot recall	36 (4.48)	0 (0.00)
History of chickenpox, n (%)
Yes	102 (12.69)	57 (20.21)
No	525 (65.30)	113 (40.07)
Unsure/cannot recall	89 (11.07)	78 (27.66)
No response provided	88 (10.95)	34 (12.06)
		Dermatologists (N = 160)
B) Dermatologists
Gender, n (%)
Female		109 (68.13)
Male		51 (31.88)
Age, years, mean (SD)		36.7 (9.76)
Age range, years		24–65
Years of practicing medicine, median (Q1, Q3)		7 (4, 15)
Number of HZ patients in past 6 months, median (Q1, Q3)		60 (30, 120)
Age, years, n (%)
20–29		39 (24.38)
30–39		73 (45.63)
40–49		24 (15.00)
50–59		20 (12.50)
60–69		4 (2.50)
Educational attainment, n (%)
Obtained a bachelor’s degree		41 (25.63)
Obtained a master’s degree		92 (57.50)
		Dermatologists (N = 160)
Obtained a doctorate (PhD)		27 (16.87)
Professional title, n (%)
Resident		61 (38.12)
Attending physician		57 (35.63)
Associate chief physician		26 (16.25)
Chief physician		16 (10.00)
Number of HZ patients in past 6 months, n (%)
≤10		15 (9.37)
11–20		13 (8.13)
21–30		14 (8.75)
>30		118 (73.75)
Percentage of patients who had HZ complications in past 6 months, n (%)
<10%		64 (40.00)
10–30%		57 (35.62)
31–50%		14 (8.75)
>50%		19 (11.88)
Unsure/cannot recall		6 (3.75)

[a] Age cutoff inclusion criteria was ≥40 years of age for the general population and ≥50 years of age for HZ patients; [b] Respondents with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus were eligible; [c] The terms “overwork” and “high pressure” described participants who considered themselves to be fatigued from overworking and participants who were mentally stressed, respectively. -: not applicable; CNY: Chinese yuan renminbi; est: estimated; HZ: herpes zoster; PhD: Doctor of Philosophy; Q1/3: first/third quartile; SD: standard deviation; USD: United States dollar.

Table 2. Knowledge of HZ among the general population, HZ patients, and dermatologists.

Items	General population (N = 804)		HZ patients (N = 282)		Dermatologists (N = 160)
	n (%)	95% CI	n (%)	95% CI	n (%)	95% CI
Is HZ a severe disease?
Yes*	490 (60.95)	(57.48, 64.33)	216 (76.60)	(71.21, 81.41)	100 (62.50)	(54.51, 70.02)
No	314 (39.05)	(35.67, 42.52)	66 (23.40)	(18.59, 28.79)	60 (37.50)	(29.98, 45.49)
Is HZ a skin disease?
Yes*	532 (66.17)	(62.78, 69.44)	175 (62.06)	(56.11, 67.74)	100 (62.50)	(54.51, 70.02)
No	272 (33.83)	(30.56, 37.22)	107 (37.94)	(32.26, 43.89)	60 (37.50)	(29.98, 45.49)
Is the pathogen of HZ a virus?
Yes*	576 (71.64)	(68.39, 74.74)	200 (70.92)	(65.24, 76.15)	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
No	228 (28.36)	(25.26, 31.61)	82 (29.08)	(23.85, 34.76)	0 (0.00)	–
What type of virus is HZ?^a
Reactivation of VZV*	–	–	–	–	136 (85.00)	(78.51, 90.15)
First infection of VZV	–	–	–	–	24 (15.00)	(9.85, 21.49)
Is HZ infectious?
Yes*	333 (41.42)	(37.99, 44.91)	122 (43.26)	(37.40, 49.27)	143 (89.38)	(83.53, 93.69)
No	471 (58.58)	(55.09, 62.01)	160 (56.74)	(50.73, 62.60)	17 (10.63)	(6.31, 16.47)
Will individuals get HZ if they touch the fluid from blisters of a HZ patient?
Yes*	304 (37.81)	(34.45, 41.26)	77 (27.30)	(22.19, 32.90)	80 (50.00)	(42.00, 58.00)
No	500 (62.19)	(58.74, 65.55)	205 (72.70)	(67.10, 77.81)	80 (50.00)	(42.00, 58.00)
Which of the following clinical characteristics/symptoms are associated with HZ? (Partial correctness rate)	760 (94.53)	(92.72, 96.00)	278 (98.58)	(96.41, 99.61)	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
Papulovesicle*	348 (43.28)	(39.83, 46.79)	177 (62.77)	(56.84, 68.42)	150 (93.75)	(88.81, 96.96)
Blister*	587 (73.01)	(69.80, 76.05)	233 (82.62)	(77.69, 86.86)	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
Pain*	614 (76.37)	(73.28, 79.27)	256 (90.78)	(86.78, 93.89)	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
Blindness	47 (5.85)	(4.33, 7.70)	18 (6.38)	(3.83, 9.90)	57 (35.63)	(28.22, 43.57)
Hearing loss	57 (7.09)	(5.41, 9.09)	18 (6.38)	(3.83, 9.90)	66 (41.25)	(33.54, 49.29)
Others	50 (6.22)	(4.65, 8.12)	10 (3.55)	(1.71, 6.42)	13 (8.13)	(4.40, 13.49)
Which of the following complications are associated with HZ? (Partial correctness rate)	699 (86.94)	(84.41, 89.19)	276 (97.87)	(95.43, 99.22)	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
Neuralgia*	640 (79.60)	(76.65, 82.34)	275 (97.52)	(94.95, 99.00)	159 (99.38)	(96.57, 99.98)
Myocarditis	177 (22.01)	(19.20, 25.04)	35 (12.41)	(8.80, 16.84)	54 (33.75)	(26.48, 41.64)
Ophthalmic complication*	177 (22.01)	(19.20, 25.04)	74 (26.24)	(21.20, 31.79)	156 (97.50)	(93.72, 99.31)
Meningitis*	116 (14.43)	(12.07, 17.05)	27 (9.57)	(6.40, 13.62)	113 (70.63)	(62.92, 77.55)
Arthritis	151 (18.78)	(16.14, 21.66)	32 (11.35)	(7.89, 15.64)	13 (8.13)	(4.40, 13.49)
Others	75 (9.33)	(7.41, 11.55)	9 (3.19)	(1.47, 5.97)	14 (8.75)	(4.87, 14.25)
Which of the following is a risk factor for HZ? (Partial correctness rate)	772 (96.02)	(94.43, 97.26)	271 (96.10)	(93.13, 98.04)	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
The elderly*	382 (47.51)	(44.01, 51.03)	204 (72.34)	(66.73, 77.48)	159 (99.38)	(96.57, 99.98)
Male	93 (11.57)	(9.44, 13.98)	38 (13.48)	(9.72, 18.02)	6 (3.75)	(1.39, 7.98)
Female*	132 (16.42)	(13.92, 19.16)	54 (19.15)	(14.73, 24.23)	20 (12.50)	(7.81, 18.64)
Have had chickenpox*	197 (24.50)	(21.57, 27.63)	99 (35.11)	(29.54, 40.99)	86 (53.75)	(45.70, 61.65)
Have weak immunity*	663 (82.46)	(79.65, 85.03)	245 (86.88)	(82.37, 90.59)	159 (99.38)	(96.57, 99.98)
Overwork*^b	343 (42.66)	(39.21, 46.16)	178 (63.12)	(57.20, 68.76)	155 (96.88)	(92.86, 98.98)
Others	33 (4.10)	(2.84, 5.72)	11 (3.90)	(1.96, 6.87)	7 (4.38)	(1.78, 8.81)
Can vaccines prevent disease?^c
Yes*	571 (71.02)	(67.75, 74.14)	178 (63.12)	(57.20, 68.76)	153 (95.63)	(91.19, 98.22)
No	233 (28.98)	(25.86, 32.25)	104 (36.88)	(31.24, 42.80)	7 (4.38)	(1.78, 8.81)
Can vaccines treat disease?^c
Yes	454 (56.47)	(52.96, 59.93)	167 (59.22)	(53.23, 65.01)	16 (10.00)	(5.82, 15.73)
No*	350 (43.53)	(40.07, 47.04)	115 (40.78)	(34.99, 46.77)	144 (90.00)	(84.27, 94.18)
Is every vaccine free of charge?^c
Yes	555 (69.03)	(65.71, 72.21)	168 (59.57)	(53.59, 65.35)	25 (15.63)	(10.37, 22.20)
No*	249 (30.97)	(27.79, 34.29)	114 (40.43)	(34.65, 46.41)	135 (84.38)	(77.80, 89.63)
Are there adverse reactions to vaccination?^c
Yes*	342 (42.54)	(39.09, 46.04)	88 (31.21)	(25.84, 36.97)	107 (66.88)	(59.01, 74.10)
No	462 (57.46)	(53.96, 60.91)	194 (68.79)	(63.03, 74.16)	53 (33.13)	(25.90, 40.99)
Do you know if there is a vaccine that can prevent HZ?
Yes*	251 (31.22)	(28.03, 34.55)	134 (47.52)	(41.56, 53.52)	158 (98.75)	(95.56, 99.85)
No	553 (68.78)	(65.45, 71.97)	148 (52.48)	(46.48, 58.44)	2 (1.25)	(0.15, 4.44)
Do you know if there is an approved vaccine against HZ in China?^a
Yes*	–	–	–	–	147 (91.88)	(86.51, 95.60)
No	–	–	–	–	13 (8.13)	(4.40, 13.49)
Is the eligible population for the HZ vaccine 50 years or older?^a
Yes*	–	–	–	–	134 (83.75)	(77.10, 89.10)
No	–	–	–	–	26 (16.25)	(10.90, 22.90)
Do you think the HZ vaccine has an effectiveness of more than 50%?^a
Yes*	–	–	–	–	134 (83.75)	(77.10, 89.10)
No	–	–	–	–	26 (16.25)	(10.90, 22.90)
Which of the following is a side effect of the HZ vaccine?^a (Partial correctness rate)	–	–	–	–	157 (98.13)	(94.62, 99.61)
Short–term local redness and swelling*	–	–	–	–	156 (97.50)	(93.72, 99.31)
Short–term local pain*	–	–	–	–	131 (81.88)	(75.02, 87.51)
Diarrhoea	–	–	–	–	48 (30.00)	(23.02, 37.74)
Short–term fever*	–	–	–	–	136 (85.00)	(78.51, 90.15)
Cough	–	–	–	–	20 (12.50)	(7.81, 18.64)
Others	–	–	–	–	3 (1.88)	(0.39, 5.38)

*The correct answer for that survey question. [a] Questions for the dermatologist group only; [b] The term “overwork” described participants who considered themselves to be fatigued from overworking. [c] These questions referred to vaccines in general and were not specific to HZ vaccination. -: not applicable; CI: confidence interval; HZ: herpes zoster; VZV: varicella zoster vaccination.

Table 3. Attitudes regarding HZ among each cohort.

Items, n (%)	Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree
A) General population
HZ is a common disease	105 (13.06)	388 (48.26)	189 (23.51)	118 (14.68)	4 (0.50)
HZ may recur in patients who have recovered from HZ	95 (11.82)	389 (48.38)	230 (28.61)	79 (9.83)	11 (1.37)
You are worried that you/your family members may get HZ	128 (15.92)	425 (52.86)	174 (21.64)	74 (9.20)	3 (0.37)
HZ has a great effect on personal emotion	194 (24.13)	471 (58.58)	113 (14.05)	23 (2.86)	3 (0.37)
HZ has a great effect on the quality of life of patients	196 (24.38)	460 (57.21)	110 (13.68)	36 (4.48)	2 (0.25)
HZ significantly increases the family economic costs of patients	121 (15.05)	423 (52.61)	196 (24.38)	62 (7.71)	2 (0.25)
HZ vaccine is effective in prevention against HZ	175 (21.77)	466 (57.96)	149 (18.53)	13 (1.62)	1 (0.12)
Your disease expenditure will decrease if you are vaccinated	166 (20.65)	431 (53.61)	179 (22.26)	26 (3.23)	2 (0.25)
The adult vaccination procedure is complex	60 (7.46)	225 (27.99)	328 (40.80)	178 (22.14)	13 (1.62)
The effectiveness of the HZ vaccine will affect your willingness to receive it	125 (15.55)	409 (50.87)	180 (22.39)	82 (10.20)	8 (1.00)
The side effects of the HZ vaccine will affect your willingness to receive it	112 (13.93)	385 (47.89)	214 (26.62)	91 (11.32)	2 (0.25)
The number of doses required for HZ vaccination will affect your willingness to receive it	91 (11.32)	358 (44.53)	231 (28.73)	118 (14.68)	6 (0.75)
Vaccination is more acceptable for you when recommended to do so by doctors	163 (20.27)	471 (58.58)	155 (19.28)	14 (1.74)	1 (0.12)
The cost of HZ vaccine will affect your willingness to receive it	117 (14.55)	353 (43.91)	205 (25.50)	122 (15.17)	7 (0.87)
B) HZ patients
HZ is a common disease	69 (24.47)	157 (55.67)	38 (13.48)	18 (6.38)	0 (0.00)
HZ may recur in patients who have recovered from HZ	49 (17.38)	136 (48.23)	66 (23.40)	26 (9.22)	5 (1.77)
You are worried that you/your family members may get HZ	66 (23.40)	160 (56.74)	27 (9.57)	25 (8.87)	4 (1.42)
HZ has a great effect on personal emotion	80 (28.37)	177 (62.77)	16 (5.67)	9 (3.19)	0 (0.00)
HZ has a great effect on the quality of life of patients	81 (28.72)	170 (60.28)	19 (6.74)	10 (3.55)	2 (0.71)
HZ significantly increases the family economic costs of patients	58 (20.57)	148 (52.48)	54 (19.15)	21 (7.45)	1 (0.35)
HZ vaccine is effective in prevention against HZ	64 (22.70)	150 (53.19)	63 (22.34)	5 (1.77)	0 (0.00)
Your disease expenditure will decrease if you are vaccinated	56 (19.86)	155 (54.96)	65 (23.05)	6 (2.13)	0 (0.00)
The adult vaccination procedure is complex	14 (4.96)	73 (25.89)	110 (39.01)	58 (20.57)	27 (9.57)
The effectiveness of HZ vaccine will affect your willingness to receive it	45 (15.96)	124 (43.97)	78 (27.66)	34 (12.06)	1 (0.35)
The side effects of HZ vaccine will affect your willingness to receive it	30 (10.64)	121 (42.91)	79 (28.01)	35 (12.41)	17 (6.03)
The number of doses required for HZ vaccination will affect your willingness to receive it	18 (6.38)	107 (37.94)	84 (29.79)	43 (15.25)	30 (10.64)
Vaccination is more acceptable for you when recommended to do so by doctors	67 (23.76)	163 (57.80)	43 (15.25)	8 (2.84)	1 (0.35)
The cost of HZ vaccine will affect your willingness to receive it	30 (10.64)	96 (34.04)	83 (29.43)	45 (15.96)	28 (9.93)
C) Dermatologists
HZ is a common disease	105 (65.63)	52 (32.50)	2 (1.25)	1 (0.63)	0 (0.00)
HZ may recur in patients who have recovered from HZ	56 (35.00)	61 (38.13)	20 (12.50)	22 (13.75)	1 (0.63)
You are worried that you/your family members may get HZ	51 (31.88)	72 (45.00)	27 (16.88)	8 (5.00)	2 (1.25)
HZ has a great effect on personal emotion	85 (53.13)	65 (40.63)	10 (6.25)	0 (0.00)	0 (0.00)
HZ has a great effect on the quality of life of patients	82 (51.25)	68 (42.50)	10 (6.25)	0 (0.00)	0 (0.00)
HZ significantly increases the family economic costs of patients	38 (23.75)	61 (38.13)	43 (26.88)	17 (10.63)	1 (0.63)
HZ vaccine is effective in prevention against HZ	75 (46.88)	78 (48.75)	6 (3.75)	1 (0.63)	0 (0.00)
The disease expenditure of HZ patients will decrease if they are vaccinated	49 (30.63)	80 (50.00)	30 (18.75)	1 (0.63)	0 (0.00)
The adult vaccination procedure is complex	5 (3.13)	24 (15.00)	69 (43.13)	56 (35.00)	6 (3.75)
The effectiveness of HZ vaccine will affect patients’ willingness to receive it	52 (32.50)	86 (53.75)	14 (8.75)	7 (4.38)	1 (0.63)
The side effects of HZ vaccine will affect patients’ willingness to receive it	29 (18.13)	74 (46.25)	42 (26.25)	13 (8.13)	2 (1.25)
The number of doses required for HZ vaccination will affect patients’ willingness to receive it	22 (13.75)	90 (56.25)	32 (20.00)	14 (8.75)	2 (1.25)
Vaccination is more acceptable for patients when recommended to do so by doctors	52 (32.50)	95 (59.38)	10 (6.25)	2 (1.25)	1 (0.63)
The cost of HZ vaccine will affect patients’ willingness to receive it	45 (28.13)	93 (58.13)	19 (11.88)	3 (1.88)	0 (0.00)

HZ: herpes zoster.

Table 4. Practices toward HZ among each cohort.

Items, n (%)	General population (N = 804)	95% CI
A) General population
Would you seek more information about HZ/HZ vaccine by yourself?
Yes	378 (47.01)	(43.52, 50.53)
No	426 (52.99)	(49.47, 56.48)
Where would you prioritize to obtain information about HZ/HZ vaccine?
Library	61 (7.59)	(5.85, 9.64)
TV	138 (17.16)	(14.62, 19.95)
Internet	220 (27.36)	(24.31, 30.59)
Mobile internet	200 (24.88)	(21.92, 28.01)
Community healthcare clinic	234 (29.10)	(25.98, 32.38)
General hospital	127 (15.80)	(13.34, 18.50)
Family	112 (13.93)	(11.61, 16.52)
Ranking, mean (SD)
Library	2.97 (2.52)	(2.32, 3.61)
TV	2.07 (1.51)	(1.82, 2.33)
Internet	1.73 (0.99)	(1.60, 1.86)
Mobile internet	2.10 (1.16)	(1.93, 2.26)
Community healthcare clinic	2.40 (1.31)	(2.23, 2.57)
General hospital	3.23 (1.79)	(2.91, 3.54)
Family	3.96 (1.98)	(3.59, 4.34)
Would you introduce the information about HZ/HZ vaccine to your relatives?
Yes	700 (87.06)	(84.55, 89.31)
No	104 (12.94)	(10.69, 15.45)
Would you consider vaccination against HZ for yourself?
Yes	700 (87.06)	(84.55, 89.31)
No	104 (12.94)	(10.69, 15.45)
What is the minimum effectiveness of the HZ vaccine at which you would consider vaccination?
>50%	51 (6.34)	(4.76, 8.26)
>60%	49 (6.09)	(4.54, 7.98)
>70%	118 (14.68)	(12.30, 17.31)
>80%	234 (29.10)	(25.98, 32.38)
>90%	342 (42.54)	(39.09, 46.04)
100%	10 (1.24)	(0.60, 2.28)
Would you consider/recommend vaccination against HZ to your relatives?
Yes	713 (88.68)	(86.29, 90.79)
No	91 (11.32)	(9.21, 13.71)
If you have HZ/HZ complications, will you go to hospital immediately?
Yes	796 (99.01)	(98.05, 99.57)
No	8 (0.99)	(0.43, 1.95)
If you have HZ/HZ complications, will you self-quarantine?
Yes	648 (80.60)	(77.69, 83.28)
No	156 (19.40)	(16.72, 22.31)
Items, n (%)	HZ patients (N = 282)	95% CI
B) HZ patients
Would you seek more information about HZ/HZ vaccine by yourself?
Yes	131 (46.45)	(40.52, 52.46)
No	151 (53.55)	(47.54, 59.48)
Where would you prioritize to obtain information about HZ/HZ vaccine?
Library	15 (5.32)	(3.01, 8.62)
TV	34 (12.06)	(8.50, 16.44)
Internet	69 (24.47)	(19.57, 29.92)
Mobile internet	58 (20.57)	(16.00, 25.76)
Community healthcare clinic	67 (23.76)	(18.91, 29.17)
General hospital	61 (21.63)	(16.97, 26.90)
Family	50 (17.73)	(13.46, 22.70)
Ranking, mean (SD)
Library	3.80 (2.98)	(2.15, 5.45)
TV	2.50 (1.91)	(1.83, 3.17)
Internet	1.64 (1.06)	(1.38, 1.89)
Mobile internet	1.91 (0.96)	(1.66, 2.17)
Community healthcare clinic	2.36 (1.26)	(2.05, 2.67)
General hospital	2.69 (1.29)	(2.36, 3.02)
Family	3.26 (1.69)	(2.78, 3.74)
Would you introduce the information about HZ/HZ vaccine to your relatives?
Yes	240 (85.11)	(80.41, 89.05)
No	42 (14.89)	(10.95, 19.59)
Would you consider vaccination against HZ for yourself?
Yes	227 (80.50)	(75.38, 84.96)
Items, n (%)	HZ patients (N = 282)	95% CI
No	55 (19.50)	(15.04, 24.62)
What is the minimum effectiveness of the HZ vaccine at which you would consider vaccination?
>50%	12 (4.26)	(2.22, 7.32)
>60%	12 (4.26)	(2.22, 7.32)
>70%	36 (12.77)	(9.10, 17.23)
>80%	112 (39.72)	(33.96, 45.69)
>90%	88 (31.21)	(25.84, 36.97)
100%	22 (7.80)	(4.95, 11.57)
Would you consider/recommend vaccination against HZ to your relatives?
Yes	248 (87.94)	(83.56, 91.50)
No	34 (12.06)	(8.50, 16.44)
If you have HZ/HZ complications, will you go to hospital immediately?
Yes	257 (91.13)	(87.19, 94.18)
No	21 (7.45)	(4.67, 11.16)
Have you been hospitalized during treatment of HZ?
Yes	78 (27.66)	(22.52, 33.27)
No	204 (72.34)	(66.73, 77.48)
If you have HZ/HZ complications, will you self-quarantine?
Yes	104 (36.88)	(31.24, 42.80)
No	178 (63.12)	(57.20, 68.76)
Items, n (%)	Dermatologists (N = 160)	95% CI
C) Dermatologists
Whether you would share your knowledge of the HZ/HZ vaccine?
Yes	154 (96.25)	(92.02, 98.61)
No	6 (3.75)	(1.39, 7.98)
Which of the following people would you share your knowledge with?
Family members	148 (92.50)	(87.27, 96.06)
Friends	143 (89.38)	(83.53, 93.69)
Your patients	146 (91.25)	(85.75, 95.13)
People who consult with you about HZ/HZ vaccine information	12 (7.50)	(3.94, 12.73)
Which of the following people would you share your knowledge with? (ranking)
Family members	1.40 (0.58)	(1.30, 1.49)
Friends	2.30 (0.54)	(2.21, 2.39)
Your patients	2.23 (0.95)	(2.07, 2.38)
Others	3.58 (1.00)	(2.95, 4.22)
Would you consider recommending HZ vaccine to others?
Yes	139 (86.88)	(80.64, 91.69)
No	21 (13.13)	(8.31, 19.36)
Which of the following people would you recommend for vaccination?
Family members	134 (83.75)	(77.10, 89.10)
Friends	132 (82.50)	(75.71, 88.05)
Your patients	133 (83.13)	(76.41, 88.57)
Others	13 (8.13)	(4.40, 13.49)
Which of the following are people you would recommend for vaccination? (ranking)
Family members	1.47 (0.63)	(1.36, 1.58)
Friends	2.41 (0.55)	(2.31, 2.50)
Your patients	2.08 (0.95)	(1.92, 2.24)
Others	3.23 (1.24)	(2.48, 3.98)
Which age groups would you recommend for vaccination?
40–49	74 (46.25)	(38.35, 54.30)
50–59	134 (83.75)	(77.10, 89.10)
60–69	130 (81.25)	(74.33, 86.98)
70–79	118 (73.75)	(66.22, 80.38)
≥80	83 (51.88)	(43.85, 59.83)
Which age groups would you recommend for vaccination? (ranking)
40–49	3.69 (1.32)	(3.38, 4.00)
50–59	1.87 (1.20)	(1.67, 2.08)
60–69	2.17 (0.65)	(2.06, 2.28)
70–79	2.75 (0.89)	(2.59, 2.92)
≥80	3.40 (1.62)	(3.04, 3.75)
Which of the following Western medicines would you recommend to your HZ patients?
Antiviral medication	160 (100.00)	(97.72, 100.00)
Analgesic	139 (86.88)	(80.64, 91.69)
Others	50 (31.25)	(24.17, 39.04)
Which of the following antiviral medications are a common option for your HZ patients?
Acyclovir	124 (77.50)	(70.24, 83.72)
Valaciclovir	158 (98.75)	(95.56, 99.85)
Ribavirin	9 (5.63)	(2.60, 10.41)
Items, n (%)	Dermatologists (N = 160)	95% CI
Ganciclovir	60 (37.50)	(29.98, 45.49)
Brivudine	63 (39.38)	(31.75, 47.40)
Famciclovir	130 (81.25)	(74.33, 86.98)
Others	1 (0.63)	(0.02, 3.43)
Which of the following analgesics are a common option for your HZ patients?
NSAIDs	100 (62.50)	(54.51, 70.02)
Tramadol	68 (42.50)	(34.73, 50.55)
Oxycodone	27 (16.88)	(11.43, 23.59)
Lidocaine	39 (24.38)	(17.94, 31.78)
Metacortandracin	44 (27.50)	(20.75, 35.11)
Gabapentin	136 (85.00)	(78.51, 90.15)
Others	20 (12.50)	(7.81, 18.64)
Other than the above-mentioned medications, which of the following medications are a common option for your HZ patients?
Corticosteroids	27 (16.88)	(11.43, 23.59)
Vitamin B1	43 (26.88)	(20.18, 34.45)
Interferon	15 (9.38)	(5.34, 14.99)
Methylcobalamin	50 (31.25)	(24.17, 39.04)
Others	2 (1.25)	(0.15, 4.44)
Which of the following traditional Chinese medicine therapies would you recommend to your HZ patients?
Acupuncture	147 (91.88)	(86.51, 95.60)
Cupping	76 (47.50)	(39.56, 55.53)
Others	26 (16.25)	(10.90, 22.90)

CI: confidence interval; HZ: herpes zoster; NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; SD: standard deviation; TV: television.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article/as supplementary information files.