Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Tick-Borne Diseases within Professionally Tick-Exposed Persons, Health Care Workers, and General Population in Serbia: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Ana Vasić, Jovana Bjekić, Gorana Veinović, Darko Mihaljica, Ratko Sukara, Jasmina Poluga, Saša R. Filipović and Snežana Tomanović
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Ana Vasić: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Jovana Bjekić: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Gorana Veinović: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Darko Mihaljica: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Ratko Sukara: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Jasmina Poluga: Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Bulevar Oslobođenja 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Saša R. Filipović: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Snežana Tomanović: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) among different groups of people in Serbia. Professionally tick-exposed persons (PTEPs), health care workers (HCWs), and the general population (GP) were subjected to an anonymous, voluntary, online questionnaire using Microsoft Forms. A total of 663 questionnaire responses were collected (February–March 2021), while 642 were included in the analysis. The significant difference in knowledge in TBDs existed between GP and PTEPs, and HCWs ( p < 0.001). The perception of risk-to-tick exposure and TBDs was generally high (42.4 (95% CI: 33.6–51.2) within GP, 44.9 (95% CI: 35.8–53.9) within PTEPs and 46.2 (95% CI: 38.0–54.5) within HCWs), while fear was low (13.7 (95% CI: 7.9–19.5) within GP, 12.6 (95% CI: 7.3–19.9) within PTEPs, and 13.5 (95% CI: 7.4–19.5) within HCWs). Protective practices differed across groups (F (2639) = 12.920, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.039), with both PTEPs (t = 3.621, Cohen d = 0.332, p < 0.001) and HCWs (t = 4.644, Cohen d = 0.468, p < 0.001) adhering to more protective practices than the GP, without differences between PTEPs and HCWs (t = 1.256, Cohen d = 0.137, p = 0.421). Further education about TBDs in Serbia is required and critical points were identified in this study.

Keywords: tick-borne encephalitis virus; tick-borne diseases; professionally tick-exposed persons; health care workers; general population; Serbia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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