Predisposing factors for individuals' Lyme disease prevention practices: Connecticut, Maine, and Montana.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined factors that predispose individuals to protect against Lyme disease.


METHODS
Knowledge, attitude, and practice questions concerning Lyme disease prevention were included in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance surveys in Connecticut, Maine, and Montana. A total of 4246 persons were interviewed.


RESULTS
Perceived risk of acquiring Lyme disease, knowing anyone with Lyme disease, knowledge about Lyme disease, and believing Lyme disease to be a common problem were significantly associated with prevention practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Predisposing factors differ substantially between states and appear related to disease incidence. Personal risk, knowing someone with Lyme disease, and cognizance about Lyme disease and acting on this information are consistent with social learning theories.
Herrington
J E
JE
Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80522, USA.
Campbell
G L
GL
Bailey
R E
RE
Cartter
M L
ML
Adams
M
M
Frazier
E L
EL
Damrow
T A
TA
Gensheimer
K F
KF
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015984:Causality; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008281:Maine / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires