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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Kimberly Yousey-Hindes¹, Neeta P. Connally, PhD, MSPH¹, James Meek, MPH¹, Amanda J. Durante, PhD, MSc², and Randall Nelson, DVM, MPH³. (1) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health/Emerging Infections Program, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, 7th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510, 203-764-4361, kimberly.yousey-hindes@yale.edu, (2) Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness, Yale University, 2 Church Street South, Suite 314, New Haven, CT 06519, (3) Epidemiology Program, Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #11 EPI, PO Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134

Background: Current Lyme disease (LD) prevention initiatives promote personal protective behaviors and peridomestic landscape modification practices. We are conducting a three-year case-control study in 24 LD-endemic Connecticut communities to evaluate the effects of these prevention measures on LD risk. Methods: Potential cases are identified from State reportable disease databases. A case is defined as a resident of the study area with a physician-diagnosed erythema migrans rash whose property includes a yard for his/her use. Potential neighborhood-matched controls are identified using a spatially-explicit phone number database and called at random until an age-matched individual, with no history of Lyme disease during the current study year, is enrolled. Cases and controls are interviewed by telephone about LD prevention measures using a standardized questionnaire. Data from case-control pairs were analyzed by conditional logistic regression. Potential confounders, such as occupational/recreational exposures, were examined. Results: Of the 353 eligible cases reported between April 2005 and June 2006, 107 (30%) were interviewed and matched with a control. Fifty-nine percent of participants were female and 75% were adults. Analysis showed that ever checking oneself for ticks within 36 hours of being outside was protective against LD (OR=0.48, 95% CI 0.24-1.01). Discussion: Preliminary data suggest that checking oneself for ticks after being outdoors can reduce LD risk. Continued enrollment over the next two tick seasons may allow us to identify additional personal protective measures and peridomestic landscape modifications that may significantly impact LD risk in highly endemic areas.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe personal behaviors and landscape modification practices that may be related to the prevention of peridomestic Lyme disease.
• Asses the impact of these prevention behaviors and landscape modifications on human Lyme disease risk.
• Discuss the implications of this knowledge for health educators and Lyme disease prevention initiatives.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation