Biomedical subjects

James E Herrington

Publications and source records attributed to James E Herrington.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Risk perceptions regarding ticks and Lyme disease: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Lyme disease (LD) is caused by the tickborne bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and, in 2000, accounted for >90% of all reported cases of vectorborne illness in the United States. Aside from anecdotal and indirect evidence, little empirical evidence exists regarding what the U.S. public knows, says, or does about preventing LD. OBJECTIVES: To examine knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding prevention of tick bites and LD. METHODS: In 1998, a random-digit-dial frame was used to collect a cross-sectional sample (n =1500) from the 48 coterminous states plus the District of Columbia, and an over-sample (n =250) from six states with the highest incidence of LD. RESULTS: Forty percent of respondents reported doing something to avoid being bitten by ticks. Less than half (41%) used insect repellent. Ninety-two percent of those who had heard about LD stated their likelihood of ever getting the disease was </=50 on a 100-point scale (mean=29; standard deviation, 23.5). Being somewhat to very concerned about being bitten by ticks was strongly associated with taking preventive measures (odds ratio, 8.34; 95% confidence interval, 6.29-11.06). CONCLUSIONS: Having seen ticks, being concerned about being bitten, perceiving insect repellent to be effective, having heard about LD, and knowing someone who had LD are the factors most predictive of specific tick-bite preventive behaviors (p <0.001). However, greater efforts are needed in promoting the effectiveness and safety of DEET-containing insect repellents.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Risk perceptions and their relation to risk behavior.

BACKGROUND: Because risk perceptions can affect protective behavior and protective behavior can affect risk perceptions, the relations between these 2 constructs are complex and incorrect tests often lead to invalid conclusions. PURPOSE: To discuss and carry out appropriate tests of 3 easily confused hypotheses: (a). the behavior motivation hypothesis (perceptions of personal risk cause people to take protective action), (b). the risk reappraisal hypothesis (when people take actions thought to be effective, they lower their risk perceptions), and (c). the accuracy hypothesis (risk perceptions accurately reflect risk behavior). METHODS: Longitudinal study with an initial interview just after the Lyme disease vaccine was made publicly available and a follow-up interview 18 months later. Random sample of adult homeowners (N = 745) in 3 northeastern U.S. counties with high Lyme disease incidence. Lyme disease vaccination behavior and risk perception were assessed. RESULTS: All 3 hypotheses were supported. Participants with higher initial risk perceptions were much more likely than those with lower risk perceptions to get vaccinated against Lyme disease (OR = 5.81, 95% CI 2.63-12.82, p <.001). Being vaccinated led to a reduction in risk perceptions, chi2(1, N = 745) = 30.90, p <.001, and people vaccinated correctly believed that their risk of future infection was lower than that of people not vaccinated (OR =.44, 95% CI.21-.91, p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: The behavior motivation hypothesis was supported in this longitudinal study, but the opposite conclusion (i.e., that higher risk led to less protective behavior) would have been drawn from an incorrect test based only on cross-sectional data. Health researchers should take care in formulating and testing risk-perception-behavior hypotheses.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Pre-West Nile virus outbreak: perceptions and practices to prevent mosquito bites and viral encephalitis in the United States.

Mosquitoes can transmit over 100 of the viruses that can cause encephalitis, meningitis, and hemorrhagic disease in humans (Chin 2000; Gubler 1996; Monath 1989). While much is known about the ecology, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of the arboviral encephalitides (Campbell et al. 2002; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1997; Gubler 1998; Hayes 1989; Hubálek and Halouzka 1999), little empirical research exists regarding the U.S. population's knowledge of mosquitoes and arboviral encephalitis, particularly prior to the U.S. outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) in 1999. A nationally representative 55-item survey instrument was successfully administered to 1,500 adults in the United States and an additional 250 adults in six states in the Northeast (Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island) regarding mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viral encephalitis. A summary outcome measure for mosquito bite prevention was created. Analyses revealed that the following were statistically significant predictors of behaviors taken to prevent mosquito bites: being concerned about being bitten by mosquitoes, perceived effectiveness of staying indoors in late afternoon and early evening was protective, perceived effectiveness that mosquito repellent is not harmful to health, owning dogs and/or cats as pets, being married, and being > or = 18-44 years old. Being concerned about being bitten by mosquitoes was the most robust predictor of behavioral action to prevent mosquito bites (OR = 7.3; 95% CI = 4.3, 12.2). Observed misperceptions and inadequate knowledge regarding insect repellents suggest increased promotion of the safety and efficacy of DEET-containing insect repellents is warranted.

Adult↗