Lyme disease and preventive behaviors in residents of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.
Am J Prev Med
; 20(3): 219-24, 2001 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11275450
BACKGROUND: To determine the age-specific prevalence of Lyme disease and whether preventive behaviors on Nantucket Island correlate with Lyme disease, we surveyed island residents. METHODS: A survey with questions on Lyme disease symptoms, history, and preventive behaviors was mailed to all residents. Respondents were stratified by likelihood of having had Lyme disease. A subsample was selected for examination, and then classified according to the Lyme disease national surveillance case definition. RESULTS: The overall lifetime prevalence of Lyme disease for Nantucket residents was 15% (CI, 10%-19.8%): 19% among females, and 11% among males. The prevalence was highest among age groups 0-16 and 30-49 years. Overall, 86% of the population practiced at least one behavior. The most frequently reported preventive behavior was checking oneself for ticks (80%), followed by wearing protective clothing (53%), avoiding tick areas (34%), and using tick repellent (11%). Younger individuals practiced fewer preventive behaviors than older individuals (p=0.001). Although males reported greater tick exposure than females, females uniformly practiced preventive behaviors more frequently (p=0.001). The practice of preventive behaviors was not associated with a history of Lyme disease, but finding more than 5 ticks per year on oneself was (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Lyme disease is highly prevalent on Nantucket Island. Young people are particularly at risk and health education should emphasize preventive behaviors less frequently practiced: using tick repellent, avoiding tick areas, and wearing protective clothing.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedad de Lyme
/
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud
Tipo de estudio:
Incidence_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Qualitative_research
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Prev Med
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos