Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Tickborne Diseases in Long Island, New York

Abstract

Most vector-borne disease cases in the USA are transmitted through the bite of ticks. In the Northeast, tickborne infections are a major public health concern and a source of significant morbidity. Human-centric factors that influence tickborne disease risk include the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of individuals and communities. My study focused on Long Island, New York, a northeast region with high endemicity of ticks and tickborne diseases (TBDs). Through a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey, I identified several knowledge gaps related to Lyme disease treatment, age groups most at risk, and chronic Lyme disease. Knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases was positively but very weakly associated with increased use of protective behaviors. Overall, residents were concerned about TBDs. Those with more significant concern for ticks were more likely to pay for private and public tick control. Individuals who saw ticks last summer or have someone in the household diagnosed with a TBD were more likely to pay for private tick control. Those who had a tickborne disease in their household were also more likely to practice tick control and seek medical care overall. Residents who were bitten by ticks before were less likely to seek medical care. Pet owners were more concerned about ticks compared to non-pet owners and practiced more precautionary behaviors. This study will inform future public health campaigns in Long Island to reduce the burden of tickborne diseases in the area.