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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mark M. Macauda, MA, MPH, Anthropology, University of Connecticut, 354 Mansfield RD, U-2176, Storrs, CT 06269, 860-486-0069, mark.macauda@uconn.edu, Andrew Spielman, ScD, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, and Peter J. Krause, MD, Infectious Disease, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106.

Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States with an incidence in 2000 of 6.3 cases per 100,000 people. Prevention strategies have not been very successful as the number of reported cases continues to increase. Little is known about factors that influence the use of prevention measures. We used factor analysis to determine the patterns of Lyme disease prevention behaviors for a sample of 472 individuals who participated in a free Lyme disease testing clinic that was offered to Block Island, Rhode Island residents in 1998. Two prevention patterns emerged: A group who performed no preventative measures (N=136) and a group that tended to perform tick checks and wear protective clothing (N=336). Pesticide use was the least popular prevention method. Younger individuals were less likely to prevent (OR=.987, using a logistic regression), although the R-Square was small (R-Square=.017). Surprisingly, for the group that used preventive measures, previous reported tick bites, time spent outside, and observing deer around the house did not predict increased numbers of methods employed. Those who reported avoiding brushy areas were more likely female (OR=1.746) and reported seeing deer often (OR=1.415, R-Square =.091). Females, however, were less likely to wear protective clothing (OR=.357, R-Square=.069) We conclude that some people fail to take any preventive measures to avoid Lyme disease despite a high risk of acquiring disease and that among those who attempt to prevent infection, both age and gender may affect the frequency and type of prevention behavior.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the patterns of Lyme disease prevention behaviors on Block Island.
• Describe the role of factor analysis in determining behavior patterns.
• Discuss the implications of behavior patterns and predictors for Lyme disease prevention.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered