Tick Borne Disease Awareness and Prevention in Central Virginia's Endurance Athletes
Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
20
Start Date
4-5-2023 12:00 PM
End Date
4-5-2023 1:30 PM
College
College of Health Sciences
Department
Public Health
Keywords
Tick Borne Diseases, Virginia, Lyme, Endurance Athletes, Central Virginia, Alpha-gal
Abstract
Background: The Central Virginia region is popular among endurance athletes who can come into contact with ticks during their run, hike, or ride. Tick-borne diseases (TBD) are prevalent in Virginia, and infected ticks have been recorded in higher density within higher elevations of Virginia. A public health needs assessment exploring knowledge and prevention behaviors among Central Virginia Endurance Athletes is needed.
Methods: A survey designed using the Health Belief Model constructs was developed and distributed to local endurance athletes via email and through social media (Strava/Facebook) during the fall of 2022. A descriptive analysis was used to summarize the results.
Results: Sixty-two endurance athletes completed the survey. Nearly 4 out of 5 participants (79%) reported being bitten by a tick, with half reporting they have come into contact with ticks during or soon after their run, ride, or hike (48.4%). Only about 1 in 4 (24.2%) were moderately or highly concerned about getting a TBD as an endurance athlete, and most did not engage in preventative behaviors. A total of 72.6% never wore treated clothing, 67.7% never applied repellant, and 59.7% indicated an interest in resources on TBDs. Within the open-ended responses, participants recognized the importance of and expressed interest in prevention education, with the recommendation to educate without generating fear.
Conclusions: An educational campaign on tick-borne diseases for endurance athletes in Central Virginia is needed. Specifically, the campaign should focus on increasing understanding of the severity of TBDs and the importance of implementing preventative behaviors before and after a run, hike, or ride, and importantly without instilling fear. A program, Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Run or Ride” has been created from the results and will be piloted in 2023.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Jennifer Hall
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Tick Borne Disease Awareness and Prevention in Central Virginia's Endurance Athletes
Turner Gymnasium
Background: The Central Virginia region is popular among endurance athletes who can come into contact with ticks during their run, hike, or ride. Tick-borne diseases (TBD) are prevalent in Virginia, and infected ticks have been recorded in higher density within higher elevations of Virginia. A public health needs assessment exploring knowledge and prevention behaviors among Central Virginia Endurance Athletes is needed.
Methods: A survey designed using the Health Belief Model constructs was developed and distributed to local endurance athletes via email and through social media (Strava/Facebook) during the fall of 2022. A descriptive analysis was used to summarize the results.
Results: Sixty-two endurance athletes completed the survey. Nearly 4 out of 5 participants (79%) reported being bitten by a tick, with half reporting they have come into contact with ticks during or soon after their run, ride, or hike (48.4%). Only about 1 in 4 (24.2%) were moderately or highly concerned about getting a TBD as an endurance athlete, and most did not engage in preventative behaviors. A total of 72.6% never wore treated clothing, 67.7% never applied repellant, and 59.7% indicated an interest in resources on TBDs. Within the open-ended responses, participants recognized the importance of and expressed interest in prevention education, with the recommendation to educate without generating fear.
Conclusions: An educational campaign on tick-borne diseases for endurance athletes in Central Virginia is needed. Specifically, the campaign should focus on increasing understanding of the severity of TBDs and the importance of implementing preventative behaviors before and after a run, hike, or ride, and importantly without instilling fear. A program, Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Run or Ride” has been created from the results and will be piloted in 2023.