Age- and Sex-Specific Differences in Lyme Disease Health-Related Behaviors, Ontario, Canada, 2015-2022

TitleAge- and Sex-Specific Differences in Lyme Disease Health-Related Behaviors, Ontario, Canada, 2015-2022
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
JournalEmerg Infect Dis.
Volume30
Issue10
Start Page2006
Date Published10/2024
AuthorsAdams JA, Osasah V, Paphitis K, Danish A, Mather RG, Russell C, Pritchard J, Nelder MP
Keywordsbacteria, blacklegged ticks, borrelia burgdorferi, Canada; Ixodes scapularis, epidemiology, Lyme disease, One Health, surveillance, tickborne diseases, ticks, vector-borne infections, zoonoses.
Abstract

We investigated differences in risk factors and preventive behaviors by age and sex among persons with reported Lyme disease in Ontario, Canada, during 2015-2022. Incidence rates peaked among children 5-9 and adults 50-79 years of age. Median age was higher for female than male case-patients (54 vs. 51 years). Male case-patients reported more activity in wooded and tall grass areas than did female case-patients; fewer male case-patients reported sharing living space with outdoor-exposed companion animals. As age increased, more case-patients reported activity in blacklegged tick habitats, exposure to ticks, and wearing adequate clothing, but fewer reported sharing living space with outdoor-exposed companion animals. Adoption of preventive behaviors was relatively low and did not differ by sex. Male case-patients, children 5-9 years of age and their parents or caregivers, and adults >59 years of age represent populations that would benefit from tailored public health messaging on Lyme disease prevention.

URLhttps://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/10/24-0191_article