Identifying trusted sources of Lyme disease prevention information among internet users connected to academic public health resources (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED Misinformation about Lyme disease and other tick-transmitted pathogens circulates frequently online and can compete with, or even overshadow, science-based guidance on tickborne disease prevention. We surveyed internet users who are connected to academic tick resources to identify trusted sources of Lyme disease prevention information, explore tick bite prevention confidence, and examine associations of these responses with answers to common “hot button issues.” Eighty-three percent of respondents identified conventional experts (e.g. the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)) as trustworthy tickborne disease prevention resources, but nearly one quarter of subjects would first consult personal contacts and online communities. The opinions of public health experts and physicians were rated among the top motivators behind personal prevention decisions, yet more than 50% of subjects revealed distrustful attitudes toward CDC-supported statements related to Lyme disease transmission time, the safety of DEET-based repellents, and use of antibiotic prophylaxis. We found that self-reported social media usage in this group was positively correlated with first seeking traditional expert sources, but also increased rejection of CDC-promoted Lyme disease information. Employing strategies to improve public trust may improve prevention communication and adoption of best practices.