Factors Influencing the Utilization of Lyme Disease‐Prevention Behaviors in a High‐Risk Population

PURPOSE: To evaluate factors motivating high-risk individuals to implement Lyme disease-prevention behaviors. DATA SOURCES: Patients presenting to the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center in New York State completed a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 219 persons completing the questionnaire, participants who reported having had Lyme disease in the past were significantly more likely to use preventive behaviors than those without a history of Lyme disease (p = .01). Additionally, persons who reported having a family member or close friend with Lyme disease were more likely to use preventive behaviors than those without such a relationship (p = .02). Increasing age was associated with increased use of preventive behaviors only for participants without a history of Lyme disease (p = .04). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These findings provide information that may be important in developing community prevention programs for Lyme disease. Younger persons without a history of Lyme disease should be targeted for programs that will educate them about Lyme disease.