Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 14, 2022
Date Accepted: Mar 30, 2023
Identifying trusted sources of Lyme disease prevention information among internet users connected to academic public health resources: a survey
ABSTRACT
Background:
Misinformation about Lyme disease and other tick-transmitted pathogens circulates frequently online and can compete with, or even overshadow, science-based guidance on tickborne disease prevention.
Objective:
We surveyed internet users who are connected to academic tick resources to identify trusted sources of Lyme disease prevention information, explore tick bite prevention confidence, and examine associations of these responses with answers to common disputed issues.
Methods:
The survey was administered via social media and website pages for Western Connecticut State University Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory and the University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center.
Results:
Respondents (n=1190) were predominantly female (75%), middle-aged (48.6%), and resided in New England (55.7%). Eighty-three percent of respondents identified conventional experts (e.g., the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or other government health agency, physicians who follow Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for Lyme disease treatment, academics) as trustworthy tickborne disease prevention resources, but nearly one quarter of subjects would first consult personal contacts and online communities regarding prevention information. The opinions of public health experts and physicians were rated among the top motivators behind personal prevention decisions, yet more than 50% of subjects revealed distrustful attitudes toward, or were uncertain about, CDC-supported statements related to time-to-transmission of Lyme disease, the safety of DEET-based repellents for children, and recommended use of antibiotic prophylaxis. We found that self-reported social media usage in this group was positively correlated with first seeking traditional expert sources, but also increased rejection of CDC-promoted Lyme disease information, in particular time-to-transmission of Lyme disease. Self-reported trust in experts and frequency of social media use suggest that these platforms may provide opportunities to engage directly with the public about tickborne disease prevention practices.
Conclusions:
Employing strategies to improve public trust and provide information where the public engages on social media may improve prevention communication and adoption of best practices. Clinical Trial: Ticks, Tickborne Disease, Public Health, Social Media, Consumer Health Information
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Copyright
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