Factors Associated with Tick Bite Preventive Practices among Farmworkers in Malaysia

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Masoumeh Ghane Kisomi, Universiti Malaya; Li Ping Wong, University of Malaya; Sun Tee Tay, University of Malaya; Awang Bulgiba, University of Malaya; Keivan Zandi, Emory University; Kai Ling Kho, University of Malaya; Fui Xian Koh, University of Malaya; Bee Lee Ong, University Malaysia Kelantan; Tariq Jaafar, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Malaysia; Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Malaysia
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-06-24
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2016 Ghane Kisomi et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157987
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PLoS ONE
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: e0157987
• End Page: e0157987
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was funded by the University Malaya Research Grant (UMRG/RP013-2012A and E), and Postgraduate Research Grant (PPP/PG026-2012B), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
• Keywords: PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR; SEROPREVALENCE; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Science & Technology - Other Topics; LYME-DISEASE PREVENTION; KNOWLEDGE; Science & Technology; HUMAN EHRLICHIOSIS; FEVER GROUP RICKETTSIAE; FORESTRY WORKERS; BORNE DISEASES; POPULATION; LUBLIN REGION
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Background: Farmworkers are at high-risk for tick bites, which potentially transmit various tick-borne diseases. Previous studies show that personal prevention against tick bites is key, and certain factors namely, knowledge, experience of tick bites, and health beliefs influence compliance with tick bites preventive behaviour. This study aimed to assess these factors and their associations with tick bite preventive practices among Malaysian farmworkers. Methods: A total of eight cattle, goat and sheep farms in six states in Peninsular Malaysia participated in a cross-sectional survey between August and October 2013 Results: A total of 151 (72.2%) out of 209 farmworkers answered the questionnaire. More than half of the farmworkers (n = 91) reported an experience of tick bites. Farms with monthly acaricide treatment had significantly (P <0.05) a low report of tick bites. Tick bite exposure rates did not differ significantly among field workers and administrative workers. The mean total knowledge score of ticks for the overall farmworkers was 13.6 (SD±3.2) from 20. The mean total tick bite preventive practices score for all farmworkers was 8.3 (SD±3.1) from 15. Fixed effect model showed the effects of four factors on tick bite prevention: (1) farms, (2) job categories (administrative workers vs. field workers), (3) perceived severity of tick bites, and (4) perceived barriers to tick bite prevention. Conclusions: A high proportion of farmworkers, including administrative workers, reported an experience of tick bites. The effectiveness of monthly acaricide treatment was declared by low reports of tick bites on these farms. Tick bite preventive practices were insufficient, particularly in certain farms and for administrative workers. Our findings emphasise the need to have education programmes for all farmworkers and targeting farms with low prevention practices. Education and health programmes should increase the perception of the risk of tick bites and remove perceived barriers of tick bite prevention.