Background: Herpes zoster is a vaccine-preventable illness associated with significant number of health problems affecting older adults in the population. Adequacy of the knowledge and positive attitude towards herpes zoster is vital for the prevention of disease that is critical in maintaining healthy behavior. However, the presence of gaps in the awareness, knowledge regarding herpes zoster (HZ) exists and low level of perceptions remains in the population.

Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding herpes zoster among the Saudi adults and examine the relationship between knowledge and attitude as well as to compare their levels according to their variables.

Methods. This research employed a descriptive, cross-sectional research design. This utilized 400 Saudi adults who responded to the questionnaire. The self-made structured questionnaire served as the gathering tool in measuring the level of knowledge and attitude related to disease and its prevention. The knowledge and attitude scores were categorized as good, moderate and low. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The power of relationship was established using Cramer’s value.

Results. Findings revealed that majority of the adults participated are moderately knowledgeable while one-third possessed good knowledge. Most of the adults demonstrated a positive attitude toward herpes zoster prevention. The older adults (above 50 years old) possessed a higher knowledge and attitude levels. No statistically significant relationship has been found between gender and age group to the knowledge and attitude level. However, a statistically significant association was observed between knowledge and attitude level (χ² = 11.26, p = 0.02), with Cramer’s V = 0.34 representing a moderate effect size, indicating that higher knowledge levels were associated with more positive attitudes.