Living with ticks: Results of an online survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding ticks and tick-borne pathogens in academic environments across Europe
Title (eng)
Living with ticks: Results of an online survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding ticks and tick-borne pathogens in academic environments across Europe
Author
Helen Esser
Gábor Földvári
Giulio Grandi
Maria Kazimirova
Lene Jung Kjær
Vivian Kjelland
Daniele de Meneghi
Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Aleksandar Potkonjak
Angel Sainz
Snorre Stuen
Sandra Antunes
Description (eng)
We prepared a digital questionnaire to capture knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in 20 languages. The questionnaire was distributed to 21 universities and research institutions in 22 European countries and 9401 valid responses were collected. Most survey participants identified ticks correctly and regarded ticks as a serious health risk. There was also a good level of knowledge regarding tick activity, habitats and the predominant TBPs in the country or region. Moreover, most respondents were familiar with effective tick protection and removal measures. Over 75 % of respondents had been bitten by ticks and up to 12 % of participants had been diagnosed with a tick-borne infection in the past. Respondents from northern and central European countries who reported engaging in outdoor activities more frequently, reported increased frequencies of tick bites and infection with TBPs compared to respondents from southern Europe. Awareness of national information campaigns on ticks and TBPs was also greater among respondents from northern and central European countries than among Mediterranean countries.
Keywords (eng)
KnowledgeAttitudes and Practices (KAP)Ixodid TicksTick-borne PathogensQuestionnaire SurveyEurope
Type (eng)
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
Is in series
Title (eng)
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
Volume
16
Issue
4
ISSN
1877-959X
Issued
2025
Number of pages
14
Publication
Elsevier
Version type (eng)
Date issued
2025
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Rights statement (eng)
© 2025 The Authors
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https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4923 - Other links and identifiers
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- RightsLicenseRights statement© 2025 The Authors
- DetailsResource typeText (PDF)Formatapplication/pdfCreated16.02.2026 09:38:40 UTC
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