Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tick-borne diseases among an at-risk population living in Niigata prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Objective This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of an at-risk population living in Niigata prefecture regarding tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and preventive strategies. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess the KAP of the community. Results In total, 186 responses were received. Among the respondents, 130 (69·9%) were men, and the mean age was 51.1 (14·3). Nine (4·8%) respondents reported having experienced tick bites. Of the respondents, 44 (23.7%) knew about both scrub typhus and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, while 156 (83·9%) and 71 (38·2%) recognized limiting skin exposure and use of insect repellents as preventive measures, respectively. The attitudes towards TBDs: being worried about tick bites (p = 0·018) and interested in preventing TBDs (p = 0·001), were significantly higher among women than men. About 75% of the respondents reported taking preventive measures against tick bites, and limiting skin exposure was the most frequently applied method (69·9%). Insect repellents were used by 58 (31·2%) respondents. Age (p = 0·049), being worried about tick bites (p = 0·046), and knowledge of ticks score (p = 0·024) were the significant independent predictors of practicing countermeasures. Conclusion We identified gaps in knowledge and practices regarding TBDs. Public health interventions should be implemented to improve public awareness of TBDs.

Behavioral and cognitive factors influencing tick-borne disease risk in northeast China: Implications for prevention and control strategies

“…The model's interpretability exhibited a higher degree of coherence in the overall participant sample as well as in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, yet presented a relatively lower coherence in Liaoning province. Notably, the tick bite rate observed in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, during the survey was 4.8% [ 36 ], which is notably similar to the findings of this study. However, a study in Sweden showed that 31% of the respondents report one or more tick bites in the last year [ 37 ].…”