Tick Preventive Behaviors and Practices Adopted by Medical Students from Poland, Germany, and Thailand in Relation to Socio-Demographic Conditions and Their Knowledge of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

Abstract

Given the high medical importance of ticks, we analyzed the most common preventive behaviors and practices adopted by medical students from Poland, Germany, and Thailand, and the level of their knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases. A survey consisting of 19 questions was conducted among 636 randomly selected students. The study showed that the Polish and German students preferred inspection of the body on their return home (86.9% and 63.5%, respectively) and wearing protective clothes (79.8% and 32.3%, respectively) as part of prophylaxis. The Thai students most often chose wearing protective clothes (54.7%) and preventive behavior in tick habitats (42.7%). Approximately 7% of the Polish medical students and as many as 22% of the German and Thai respondents did not use any means of prevention. Our analyses suggest that the use of preventive methods and respondents’ behaviors depend on socio-demographic factors and the level of health education. The insufficient practical implementation of tick prevention measures by the medical students suggests a need for verification of health education programs in schools as well as effective popularization and educational activities. It is also necessary to develop a public health protection strategy against the effects of tick bites.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Tick-Borne Diseases within Professionally Tick-Exposed Persons, Health Care Workers, and General Population in Serbia: A Questionnaire-Based Study

“…For example, in France, a study identified the need for further training in serology limitations and the availability of TBE vaccination among primary care physicians [ 40 ]. Similarly, only 56.2% of students from Germany, Poland, and Thailand declared their knowledge of the risks posed by ticks and TBPs to be sufficient [ 41 ]. Another study from northeastern France underlined the importance of information on TBE among workers exposed to tick bites [ 42 ].…”

An Epidemiological Survey Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases among Livestock Owners in Punjab, Pakistan: A One Health Context

“…Despite the above, few studies have been conducted and published on people's knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding tick and TBDs, with even fewer from Pakistan, where TBDs are causing devastating economic losses [50][51][52][53][54][55][56]. With this in mind, the current study was designed to evaluate livestock owner's knowledge, attitude, and practices towards ticks in Punjab, Pakistan, to assess the awareness about ticks and TBDs, zoonotic concerns, and need for a One Health approach towards tick control in this region.…”

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

“…The prevention of tick-borne diseases is based on tick biology, ecology and control measures. Reducing tick abundance with the use of biological and chemical methods could be inefficient [12]. However, practices for tick bite prevention, knowledge and attitudes can reduce TBD risk for individuals, especially since research on a LB vaccine has still not been finalized.…”