Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study
Abstract Background Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe. Research on factors that shape LB risk perception in Europe is limited. This study explores the potential drivers of LB risk perception in the general adult (18–65 years) population of twenty European countr...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23722-z |
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| author | Emily Colby L. Hannah Gould Ye Tan Andreas Pilz Gordon Brestrich Jennifer C. Moisi James H. Stark |
| author_facet | Emily Colby L. Hannah Gould Ye Tan Andreas Pilz Gordon Brestrich Jennifer C. Moisi James H. Stark |
| author_sort | Emily Colby |
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| description | Abstract Background Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe. Research on factors that shape LB risk perception in Europe is limited. This study explores the potential drivers of LB risk perception in the general adult (18–65 years) population of twenty European countries, such as urbanicity, socioeconomic status, dog ownership, gender, age, and tick and LB diagnosis history. Methods Data were obtained from a 2022 survey of 28,034 adults aged 18–65 years in twenty European countries. The survey included questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to ticks and LB. Respondents were categorized into three income levels (low, middle, or high) based on country-specific income tertiles. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and differences in responses to survey items by income level were assessed using chi-square tests. Risk perception was measured from a survey question asking respondents to rate their risk of contracting LB on a five-point scale from “very low risk” to “very high risk.” Ordinal logistic regression modeled the relationship between predictor variables and LB risk perception. Results Having a past LB diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.38–4.64) was most strongly tied to increased LB risk perception. Knowing someone with a past LB diagnosis or having a past tick bite, were also significantly associated with higher risk perception (AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.97–2.27, and AOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.60–1.84, respectively). High-income respondents were most likely to report a past tick bite (55.4%, 95% CI: 53.5–57.3%) and a past LB diagnosis (13.5%, 95% CI: 12.1–14.8%). Conclusions Experience with ticks and LB (i.e., via bites or diagnoses) may play a key role in shaping LB risk perception among European adults. Dog ownership and demographic factors such as gender and age may also influence LB risk perception. These results could help LB educational campaigns addressing knowledge and perception gaps. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-845046cd9f6d4fd58c9bbcd08e7225e02025-08-20T04:02:44ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-08-012511910.1186/s12889-025-23722-zFactors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey studyEmily Colby0L. Hannah Gould1Ye Tan2Andreas Pilz3Gordon Brestrich4Jennifer C. Moisi5James H. Stark6Global Vaccines and Anti-Infectives Medical Affairs, Pfizer, Pfizer US Commercial DivisionGlobal Vaccines and Anti-Infectives Medical Affairs, Pfizer, Pfizer US Commercial DivisionEvidence Generation Statistics, Pfizer Research and DevelopmentGlobal Vaccines and Anti-Infectives Medical Affairs, Pfizer Corporation AustriaGlobal Vaccines and Anti-Infectives Medical Affairs, Pfizer Pharma GmbHGlobal Vaccines and Anti-Infectives Medical Affairs, Pfizer US Commercial DivisionGlobal Vaccines and Anti-Infectives Medical AffairsAbstract Background Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe. Research on factors that shape LB risk perception in Europe is limited. This study explores the potential drivers of LB risk perception in the general adult (18–65 years) population of twenty European countries, such as urbanicity, socioeconomic status, dog ownership, gender, age, and tick and LB diagnosis history. Methods Data were obtained from a 2022 survey of 28,034 adults aged 18–65 years in twenty European countries. The survey included questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to ticks and LB. Respondents were categorized into three income levels (low, middle, or high) based on country-specific income tertiles. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and differences in responses to survey items by income level were assessed using chi-square tests. Risk perception was measured from a survey question asking respondents to rate their risk of contracting LB on a five-point scale from “very low risk” to “very high risk.” Ordinal logistic regression modeled the relationship between predictor variables and LB risk perception. Results Having a past LB diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.38–4.64) was most strongly tied to increased LB risk perception. Knowing someone with a past LB diagnosis or having a past tick bite, were also significantly associated with higher risk perception (AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.97–2.27, and AOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.60–1.84, respectively). High-income respondents were most likely to report a past tick bite (55.4%, 95% CI: 53.5–57.3%) and a past LB diagnosis (13.5%, 95% CI: 12.1–14.8%). Conclusions Experience with ticks and LB (i.e., via bites or diagnoses) may play a key role in shaping LB risk perception among European adults. Dog ownership and demographic factors such as gender and age may also influence LB risk perception. These results could help LB educational campaigns addressing knowledge and perception gaps.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23722-zLyme borreliosisTicksRisk perceptionEuropeSurvey research |
| spellingShingle | Emily Colby L. Hannah Gould Ye Tan Andreas Pilz Gordon Brestrich Jennifer C. Moisi James H. Stark Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study BMC Public Health Lyme borreliosis Ticks Risk perception Europe Survey research |
| title | Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study |
| title_full | Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study |
| title_fullStr | Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study |
| title_short | Factors influencing Lyme borreliosis risk perception in Europe: a cross-sectional multi-country survey study |
| title_sort | factors influencing lyme borreliosis risk perception in europe a cross sectional multi country survey study |
| topic | Lyme borreliosis Ticks Risk perception Europe Survey research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23722-z |
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