Recreational behaviour, risk perceptions, and protective practices against ticks: a cross-sectional comparative study before and during the lockdown enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania

Abstract

Background Gaining insight into the risk perceptions and the knowledge evolution of the public about emerging or changing health risks is vital for the improvement of health promotion activities. Currently, scientific evidence regarding the attitudes of the Romanian public towards ticks is scanty. This study aimed to identify how the lockdown enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania impacted the recreational behaviour, risk perceptions, and protective practices of the Romanian population regarding ticks. Methods A cross-sectional, nationwide web-based questionnaire was designed and distributed via social media to evaluate if, and how, the COVID-19 lockdown impacted the behaviour of the Romanian public concerning ticks. The survey was available online from 6 May until 15 May 2020, which marked the last day of the travel ban in Romania. The collected data were processed by applying both uni- and multivariate methods. Results Respondents reported a higher frequency of finding ticks on themselves and their dogs during the lockdown. Bathing/showering and checking the body for ticks were the two most used protective behaviours both before and during the lockdown. Nevertheless, an overall lower usage rate of protective measures was registered during the lockdown. Almost all dog owners used a form of ectoparasite control for their dogs, and only three stopped due to lockdown-associated reasons. Respondent characteristics that were found to be positively associated with risk perceptions were being female and living in peri-urban/suburban/rural environments. Conclusions Despite spending less time outdoors during the lockdown, more respondents reported finding ticks on themselves or their dogs. Changes in the preferences for recreational locations, rates of protective practices usage, amount of time spent in specific areas, or tick seasonal activity might have contributed to this outcome. Concerning risk groups, men of all ages, senior citizens, and rural inhabitants should be targeted by the relevant Romanian authorities when promoting local or nationwide tick awareness campaigns. Graphical abstract

Mapping and monitoring tick (Acari, Ixodida) distribution, seasonality, and host associations in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2020

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“…Further studies that incorporate landscape connectivity metrics along urban–rural gradients could help to investigate the effects of landscape structure and connectivity, as shown previously in several studies (Estrada‐Peña, 2002; Heylen, Lasters, et al, 2019; Heylen, Schmidt, et al, 2019). Further studies assessing host communities (deer, small mammals and birds) along an urban–rural gradient and the impact on various risk indicators are needed to better understand Borrelia transmission dynamics (Borşan et al, 2020; Borșan et al, 2021). Such studies should incorporate the impacts of habitat fragmentation on tick hosts and Borrelia transmission cycles (Diuk‐Wasser et al, 2021), which is not only important for understanding current risk but also future risk as the landscape and host communities continue to change as part of woodland restoration and rewilding activities.…”

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