[Educational status of the Czech population about Lyme borreliosis and experience with tick bites--pilot study]

The incidence of Lyme borreliosis (LB) has a rising trend since 1995. In 1995 6,302 cases were reported, in 1996 4,192 (EPIDAT, SZU). The objective of the present work was to assess in a selected population sample knowledge of ticks and their relationship to Lyme borreliosis. The investigation was based on a survey using questionnaires. 110 respondents were selected according to the following pattern: 19 secondary school students, 32 blood donors, 44 visitors of parks, 15 countryside people. 99.1% of the subjects knew about the existence of ticks in the Czech Republic, 10.9% of the respondents do not know about Lyme borreliosis. More than 80% of the people are in the countryside at least once a week. 87% of the people report they had a tick, 75% removed a tick from another person. Only 6.7% of the respondents never had any contact with ticks. When removing ticks 17% of the subjects use disinfection, 67% use oil. Almost 30% of the respondents remove ticks with bare hands and more than 14% destroy them by squashing them between their fingers. 41% are not aware of the risk of transmission of tick-borne encephalitis. From the investigation a frequent contact of the population with ticks is apparent. Theoretical knowledge of the problem is extensive, practical experience is different. Unfortunately unsuitable habits in removal of ticks persist and this increases the risk of transmission of Lyme borreliosis.