Background: The mosquito-borne viral encephalitides, e.g., LaCrosse encephalitis and West Nile encephalitis, and tick-borne illnesses, e.g., Lyme disease and human ehrlichiosis, are emerging infectious diseases of significant health risk to the American public. Aside from anecdotal and indirect evidence, little empirical evidence exists regarding what the American public knows, believes, or does about these vector-borne infectious diseases. Objectives: To examine the U.S. adult population's knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and practices regarding vector-borne infectious diseases, specifically Lyme disease and arboviral encephalitis. Methods: A national one plus list-assisted random digit dial frame was used to draw a cross-section of 1,500 respondents from the 48 states plus the District of Columbia, and an over-sample, designed to yield 250 additional respondents from the 6 states with the highest incidence of Lyme disease (Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) for a total of 1,750 eligible respondents age 18 or older. Results: Preliminary analyses reveal 45% of respondents are somewhat to very concerned about being bitten by mosquitoes and 53% are somewhat to very concerned about being bitten by ticks. DEET containing insect repellent was used by 74% and 81% of respondents to prevent tick bite and mosquito bites, respectively. Additional univariate and logistic regression analyses are presented. Significant factors that influence risk perceptions and may predispose, enable, and reinforce preventive action regarding mosquito, tick, and flea vectors are identified. Conclusions and implications for future research are discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify factors which influence risk perceptions regarding ticks and mosquitoes. 2. Analyze the extent to which identified factors are statistically significant. 3. Recognize how identified factors may predispose, enable, and reinforce preventive action
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.