Ortenauklinikum Offenburg-Kehl, Klinik für Neurologie, Ebertplatz 12, D-77652 Offenburg, Germany.
Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 26, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2020 Jan;11(1):101307. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101307. Epub 2019 Sep 28.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an occupational hazard for forestry workers. We measured knowledge levels, misbeliefs, and vaccination rates in forestry trainees in order to tailor specific measures aimed at reducing occupational TBE incidence. A paper-based survey was performed at a central training site for forestry workers in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The questionnaire contained items regarding vaccination status against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), self-reported tick-borne diseases, knowledge of and attitudes towards tick-borne disease, and practices in the context of ticks and tick bites. All trainees in the period June-December 2018 were surveyed. Statistical analyses were conducted using Mann-Whitney-Rank sum test and one-way ANOVA tests. Two-hundred-twenty-five trainees participated in the survey. Almost all (>99%) were aware of living in a TBE high-risk area. Eighty-three percent of respondents were vaccinated in line with current recommendations. Seventeen percent had no effective vaccination status. Twenty-seven percent believed that ticks can transmit only TBEV and Borrelia spp. Sixty-two percent knew that TBEV infections can be fatal. Only 8% of respondents use tick repellents and only 17% wear long sleeves and pants. Trainees who graduated from a six and (eight or) nine secondary school (Realschule and Abitur respectively) had more knowledge on ticks and tick-borne disease compared to graduates from a five year school (Hauptschule) (p = 0.002 and p = 0,037 respectively). Overall, the TBE vaccination rate is not high enough in this high-risk occupational group. We identified gaps in knowledge and practices that could have an impact on TBE incidence in this group if addressed. Further epidemiological research is needed on knowledge, attitudes, and practices in different high-risk populations.
森林工人存在感染蜱传脑炎（TBE）的职业风险。我们对林业实习生进行了知识水平、误解和疫苗接种率的测量，以便制定具体措施，降低职业性 TBE 发病率。在巴登-符腾堡州的一个林业工人中央培训点进行了纸质问卷调查。问卷包含了针对蜱传脑炎病毒（TBEV）疫苗接种状况、自我报告的蜱传疾病、对蜱传疾病的了解和态度以及与蜱和蜱叮咬有关的做法等方面的问题。2018 年 6 月至 12 月期间，对所有实习生进行了调查。使用 Mann-Whitney-Rank sum 检验和单向方差分析进行了统计分析。共有 225 名实习生参加了调查。几乎所有人（>99%）都知道自己生活在 TBE 高风险地区。83%的受访者按照当前建议进行了疫苗接种。17%的人没有有效的疫苗接种状态。27%的人认为蜱只能传播 TBEV 和伯氏疏螺旋体。62%的人知道 TBEV 感染可能致命。只有 8%的受访者使用驱蜱剂，只有 17%的人穿长袖长裤。与从五年制学校（Hauptschule）毕业的学生相比，从六年制（Realschule）和（八年或）九年制学校（Abitur）毕业的实习生对蜱和蜱传疾病的了解更多（p=0.002 和 p=0.037）。总体而言，这个高风险职业群体的 TBE 疫苗接种率还不够高。我们发现，在这个群体中，如果加以解决，知识和实践方面存在差距，可能会对 TBE 发病率产生影响。需要对不同高危人群的知识、态度和做法进行进一步的流行病学研究。
