Educational Messaging for Tick Bites

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Cassie Halvorsen

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Disqualifiers: Incomplete daily logs

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

3500 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how short surveys can assess the risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases, focusing on regions like the upper Midwest and Northeast U.S., particularly Wisconsin. Participants will either receive educational materials about ticks or not, to evaluate if the information alters their awareness or behavior. It suits individuals willing to log their daily activities in an app for a week. This study could help people understand and reduce their risk of tick encounters. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to important research that could enhance public health strategies against tick-borne diseases.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these educational materials are safe?

Research has shown that educational materials, like those used in this study, are generally safe for people. These materials aim to raise awareness and provide information about ticks and the diseases they can spread. No reports have indicated negative effects from using educational tools such as pamphlets, apps, or online resources. The goal is to improve knowledge and behavior to help prevent tick bites and related diseases. As this trial involves educational content, participants should not expect any physical risks or side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the potential of educational materials as a tool for tick bite prevention. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on physical interventions like repellents or tick removal devices, this trial investigates how informed messaging can empower individuals to prevent tick bites. The unique aspect here is the focus on education as a preventive measure, which could lead to more proactive and informed decisions by individuals when they are in tick-prone areas. By understanding how educational messaging impacts behavior, this trial could pave the way for new, accessible methods of reducing tick-borne disease risks.

What evidence suggests that educational materials are effective for assessing risk factors for tick-borne diseases?

Research has shown that educational materials, such as those in smartphone apps, can help people learn to prevent tick bites. In this trial, participants may receive educational materials through the Tick App, designed to increase knowledge about avoiding tick bites and Lyme Disease. One study found that users of a Dutch app became more knowledgeable about these topics. Another study showed that people using similar educational tools were more likely to take steps to avoid ticks. These educational methods help people understand the risks and take actions to prevent tick bites. Overall, evidence suggests that educational materials play a crucial role in reducing the risk of tick bites and related diseases. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lyric Bartholomay

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Susan Paskewitz

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for up to 1000 people in the upper Midwest, focusing on Wisconsin, who are at risk of tick encounters and tick-borne diseases. Specific eligibility criteria were not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Be able and willing to provide informed consent

I am willing to log my daily activities for 7 days in the Tick App.

Exclusion Criteria

I haven't completed a week's worth of daily logs or did so but not within the last year.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Data Collection

Participants use the Tick App to complete 7 daily logs assessing tick encounters and prevention behaviors

12 months

Daily app usage

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in tick prevention behaviors and tick encounters

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Educational Materials

Trial Overview The study tests if educational materials delivered through the Tick App can change behaviors related to tick bites. It uses momentary assessments to evaluate risk factors for tick encounters.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Tick App Educational Materials Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: No Educational Messaging Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

University of Illinois at Chicago

Collaborator

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

Michigan State University

Collaborator

Trials

202

Recruited

687,000+

Columbia University

Collaborator

Trials

1,529

Recruited

2,832,000+

Washington State University

Collaborator

Trials

114

Recruited

58,800+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10902910/

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward ... Additional training could help HPWS promptly remove attached ticks and share educational information with parents for what to do after a tick bite. Further, two ...

2. bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-017-2836-4

Prevention of tick bites: an evaluation of a smartphone app The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage and user satisfaction of the 'Tekenbeet' app and to investigate whether it affects users' ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X23000067

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices for tick bite prevention ... Our survey results demonstrated that Long Island residents had a low to moderate level of knowledge regarding ticks and TBDs.

4. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/320313/the-tick-app-changing-behaviors-with-educational-messaging/

The Tick App: Changing Behaviors With Educational ... In this study, data on human behavior regarding tick encounters and tick prevention measures will be obtained from a smartphone application ...

5. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/25/suppl_3/ckv172.063/2578292

Evaluation of the 2014 Dutch smartphone app 'Tick Bite' This study shows the app 'Tick Bite' is an effective tool in the education on prevention of tick bites and LD and it complements the current educational ...

6. cdc.gov cdc.gov/ticks/communication-resources/index.html

Communication Resources | Ticks Find free tick and tickborne disease resources here. You can also find disease-specific resources for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ...

7. pa.gov pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/vectorborne-diseases/tick-diseases/educational-materials

Educational Materials | Department of Health Prevention Resources · Tick removal · How to do a tick check · Protecting your yard from ticks · How Permethrin Can Prevent Tick Bites · T.I.C.K. Prevention ...