ACCEPTABILITY OF GENITAL HERPES IMMUNIZATION - THE ROLE OF HEALTH BELIEFS AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS

Background and Objectives: Little is known about the acceptability of vaccines for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The p urpose of this study was to examine potential predictors of genital he rpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) vaccine acceptability. Goals: To eva luate the relationship of health beliefs and health behaviors to HSV-2 vaccine acceptability. Study Design : Three hundred twenty-one subjec ts participating in two phase III clinical trials for an HSV-2 vaccine completed surveys addressing health beliefs, health behaviors, and ac ceptability of hypothetical HSV-2 vaccines. Results: Bivariate analyse s found that perceived benefits of vaccination, seatbelt use, a health y diet, and having had cholesterol levels checked were associated with higher acceptability. Perceived limitations of HSV-2 immunization, al cohol use, and exercise were associated with lower acceptability. Mult iple 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 gro ups of high-risk individuals who had completed participation in HSV-2 clinical trials, health beliefs and health behaviors influenced accept ability of hypothetical HSV-2 vaccination. The findings support the ne ed to understand determinants of acceptance of vaccines for HSV-2 and other STDs.