BMC Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Social capital and its association with clinically significant depressive symptoms in patients with end-stage kidney disease in Mexico.","authors":"Alicia Alanis-Ocádiz, Svetlana V Doubova, José Manuel Arreola-Guerra, Adriana Monroy, Humberto Martínez Bautista, Jannett Padilla-López, Carolina Quiñones-Villalobos, Carlos Alberto Prado-Aguilar","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24526-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24526-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3182"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487142/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intention to use and perceived satisfaction with a digital tool for dementia prevention among the Dutch general public: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Tanja J de Rijke, Leonie N C Visser, Kyra K M Kaijser, Jeroen Bruinsma, Susan J Oudbier, Irene Heger, Wiesje M van der Flier, Ellen M A Smets, Thomas Engelsma","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-23777-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-23777-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3151"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486987/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temporal trends in heart failure burden among young adults in China: a systematic analysis from 1990 to 2021.","authors":"Meng Wang, Zhaoxia Liao, Haoquan Huang, Minghui Cao, Xiaoyan Huang, Suihua Huang, Ganglan Fu","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-23623-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-23623-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Studies from several countries have reported an increasing trend in heart failure (HF) among young adults, but comprehensive data on HF burden among young Chinese adults are lacking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we analyzed trends in prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of HF among Chinese adults aged 20-49 years from 1990 to 2021. We examined age-standardized rates per 100,000 population, stratified by age groups, sex, severity levels, and underlying causes. Joinpoint regression, age-period-cohort analysis, decomposition analysis, frontier analysis and projection models were applied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 1990 to 2021, HF prevalence cases increased from 448,261.89 to 897,595.61, while YLDs rose from 44,025.76 to 88,416.28. Age-standardized prevalence rates increased from 88.44 to 141.27 per 100,000 population, and YLD rates increased from 8.70 to 13.90, with average annual percentage changes (AAPC) of 1.53 (95% CI: 1.40-1.65) and 1.52 (95% CI: 1.42-1.61), respectively. Ischemic heart disease remained the leading cause (51.68 per 100,000), followed by hypertensive heart disease (29.25) and cardiomyopathy (15.83), while atrial fibrillation showed the highest relative increase (446%). Frontier analysis revealed a moderate gap (effective difference: 51.68) between China's current and potentially achievable HF prevalence. Epidemiological changes (66.9%) drove the increased burden, with projections indicating continued rises through 2030.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The burden of HF among young Chinese adults has increased substantially over the past three decades, with traditional cardiovascular causes remaining predominant. These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced prevention strategies targeting young adults in China.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3164"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487353/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial heterogeneity and its influencing factors of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in a natural community population: a study based on Lingwu city, rural Northwest China.","authors":"Wei Gong, Yuxin Zhao, Jianping Shi, Siyu Ma, Xiaoxiao Hu, Manya Ma, Xiuna Li, Jinlong Shi, Jianjun Yang","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24483-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24483-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) significantly contributes to the economic burden in China, particularly in rural areas. This study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of CMM and identify its primary influencing factors in different townships in Lingwu City, Ningxia, to inform public health policies in Northwest China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The standardized prevalence of CMM was investigated using data from Cardiovascular Disease High-Risk Group Early Screening and Comprehensive Intervention Program (2017-2022) conducted in Lingwu City, Ningxia. We applied spatial autocorrelation, cluster analysis, and spatiotemporal scanning to explore the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of CMM and identify high-risk clusters. Four machine learning algorithms, logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) were developed using 15 major cardiovascular disease influence factors. The performance of these models was evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, and AUC to determine their applicability across different townships in Lingwu City. The optimal model was selected for further analysis using interpretable machine learning algorithms (SHAP analysis) to identify common and key influence factors influencing CMM prevalence across townships.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 11,353 participants, 1,334 individuals (11.8%, 95% CI: 11.2-12.4%) were diagnosed with CMM, with significant variations in influence factors observed across townships (P < 0.05). Trend surface analysis revealed a parabolic geographic distribution of CMM prevalence in Lingwu City, increasing from north to south. Dongta Township exhibited the highest prevalence (16.6%), followed by Chongxing Township and Wutongshu Township. Spatiotemporal scanning identified four high-incidence clusters. The random forest algorithm outperformed others in predicting CMM prevalence across townships. SHAP analysis highlighted differences in the geographic distribution of 15 influence factors. Age, waist circumference, and hypertension were significant influence factors across Lingwu City. Township-specific influence factors included TG and BMI in Dongta; HDL and TG in Chongxing, Haojiaqiao; HDL and TC in Wutongshu and TC, TG, HDL and BMI in Baitugang.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CMM prevalence shows significant geographic variation within Lingwu City, with distinct risk factors across townships. Tailored interventions, based on local needs, should be implemented to reduce CMM prevalence effectively, optimize health resource allocation, and inform public health policies in rural areas of Northwest China.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3188"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding overweight and obesity subgroups: a cluster analysis of data from the UK Yorkshire Health Study.","authors":"Rachel O'Hara, John Stephenson, Elizabeth Goyder, Sara Eastburn, Hannah Jordan","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24152-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24152-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals with overweight/obesity are a heterogeneous population and a better understanding of factors differentiating subgroups can help deliver more targeted weight management interventions that benefit everyone equally. Previous research employed cluster analysis to understand heterogeneity within a population with obesity in one region of England, using the Yorkshire Health Study (YHS) dataset. The aim of this study is to build on that research and contribute a more detailed understanding of subgroups to support more tailored weight management strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study entailed using cluster analysis methods to identify a number of discrete subgroups characterised by demographic, health and lifestyle commonalities, using a larger Yorkshire Health Study (YHS) dataset (n = 47,080) and broader range of weight categories (healthy weight, overweight and obesity). Clustering involved using the k-prototypes method for mixed data types and the optimum number of clusters was determined by identifying the point of inflexion (elbow) on the scree plot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six-clusters were identified as the optimum overall solution, which comprised six distinct subgroups differentiated by a range of variables related to weight status: younger, healthy, active, heavy drinking males; older with poor physical health, but good quality of life; older with poor health, quality of life and well-being; older, ex-smokers with poor health but high well-being; younger, healthy and active females; and younger with poor mental health and well-being.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings contribute additional insight on differences between specific population groups in relation to key determinants of weight. This understanding should ensure that within an overall systems based approach to tackling this major public health issue, there is adequate attention to delivering more tailored weight management strategies for different groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486651/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Output of significant others in the promotion and sustainability of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Ikeduru LGA, Imo state nigeria: a quasi-experimental study.","authors":"Mary Ulumma Udeh, Sally Nkechinyere Onyeka, Evangeline Tochi Oparaocha, Chimezie Christian Iwuala, Uchechukwu Madukaku Chukwuocha, Gregory Iwuoha, Ugonma Winnie Dozie, Christopher Chike Anunonwu, Oluchi Goodness Asinobi, Victoria Ngozi Akam","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24505-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24505-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practice has remained a challenge globally despite its numerous potential health and economic benefits for both the mother and child.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This quasi-experimental study determined the output of significant others in the promotion and sustenance of exclusive breastfeeding practice among nursing mothers in Imo State, Nigeria. Purposive multistage sampling was adopted to select the participants, who were 200 pregnant/nursing mothers and 200 significant others selected in 10 primary health care centres in Imo State. 100 significant others and 100 pregnant/nursing mothers were in each arm of the study and control group. The target population was significant others but the outcome of the intervention was assessed on the nursing mothers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, the significance was tested using chi-square (ꭓ²), logistic regression and odds ratio were at p-value of 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Results of the study revealed that on the sociodemographic variables of pregnant/ nursing mothers, the average age ± standard deviation is 25.8 ± 4.2 (control group: 26. ± 4.2; intervention group: 25.6 ± 4.2). Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding by significant others had strong significant associations among the intervention against control group; (P = < 0.000, x²=48.57, d.f. =2), initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth (control=37.4%, 58.6% and 4% initiated 1-3 and 4-6 h after birth respectively; intervention = (85.7%) initiated within one hour, 13.3% and 1% respectively initiated 1-3 and 4-6 h after birth ). skin to skin contact (SSC) 92.9% & 46.5%; feeding of colostrums 95(96.9%) & 89(89.9% ) (P = 0.047, x² =3.96, d.f = 1; OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.048-1.15), rooming in (98.9%) & (72.7%), no water/infant formula/medicinal herb till after six months 85(86.7%) & 7(7.1%) respectively for both intervention and control groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study concluded that significant others are key stakeholders in matters concerning infant nutrition and feeding choices, including exclusive breastfeeding practice. It is therefore recommended that significant others are used as facilitators in programs concerning infant nutrition and maternal and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3180"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486874/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational accidents among fisherfolks in the Western Region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Thomas Peprah Agyekum, Sita Vidda, Margaret Ama Odoom, Emmanuella Darko, Francis Junior Opoku, Lady Baaba Donkoh, Afia Darkoa Opoku-Yeboah, Ibrahim Issah, Lawrencia Osae-Nyarko, Eric Adjei Boadu, Daniel Boateng, Kofi Sekyere Boateng","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24168-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24168-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3175"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486613/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Allocative efficiency analysis of strategies to reduce overdose deaths among people with opioid use disorder and history of incarceration in Connecticut.","authors":"Joy D Scheidell, Jillian M Frechette, Tarlise N Townsend, Qinlian Zhou, Prima Manandhar-Sasaki, David A Fiellin, Robert Heimer, Lisa B Puglisi, Dyanna L Charles, Jasmine I-Shin Su, Emma T Biegacki, R Scott Braithwaite","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24432-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24432-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>While Connecticut has successfully slowed overdose death (ODD) rates, additional progress is necessary. We examined policies that allocate resources with maximal efficiency to reduce ODDs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We developed a mechanistic simulation of overdose policies, including medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) among people involved in the criminal justice system both during incarceration (MOUD-INC) and post-release in the community (MOUD-COM), and naloxone in the community (NLX) to determine how maximally scaling all permutations compared to current MOUD and NLX levels (i.e., status quo) would impact five-year cohort ODDs, discounted life-years (LYs), discounted quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). A simulated cohort of 2748 people with OUD incarcerated in Connecticut moved between settings and OUD statuses. Costs were assessed in 2021 $US, employed health and public health sector perspective in base-case analyses and limited-societal perspective in sensitivity analyses, 3% discount rate, a cost-effectiveness criterion of < $100,000 per QALY gained. Analyses were performed over life-year and lifetime horizons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At status quo, the simulated cohort experienced 345 five-year ODDs, 16.1 per-person discounted LYs, and 12.5 per-person discounted QALYs. Individually, maximally scaling MOUD-INC reduced five-year ODDs 7%, added 0.3 LYs and 0.3 QALYs at an ICER $78,000/QALY gained; MOUD-COM reduced five-year ODDs 23%, added 1.2 LYs and 1.2 QALYs at $18,000/QALY gained; NLX reduced five-year ODDs 18%, added 0.4 LYs and 0.3 QALYs at $15,000/QALY gained. Considering all permutations, compared to status quo and each other, not all met the cost-effectiveness criterion. Maximally scaling MOUD-COM and NLX together was the most beneficial option meeting cost-effectiveness criterion, reducing five-year ODDs 39%, adding 1.5 LYs and 1.5 QALYs versus baseline at $18,000/QALY gained compared to the next-best option. Maximally scaling all had similar effects but an unfavorable ICER. In sensitivity analyses using a limited societal perspective, all options were cost-saving, and maximally scaling all three interventions was most beneficial and most cost-effective, adding 1.6 LYs, 1.5 QALYs, and averting 41% of ODD while saving society $363,000.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Maximally scaling community MOUD and naloxone can reduce ODDs among people who are incarcerated by 39%. Considering societal costs, maximally scaling all three decreases ODDs while saving money.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3209"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487451/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards smoking among people with migration experience: a global scoping review.","authors":"Kris Schürch, Sophie Meyer, Marina Köhli, Beatrice Minder, Doris Kopp-Heim, Magda Gamba, Christoph Buhne, Daniel Ludin, Jodie Freeman, Blender Muzvondiwa, Lisa M Held, Octavio Pano, Cristopher I Kobler Betancourt, Lucia Bühlmayer, Harvy Joy Liwanag, Annika Frahsa","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-24258-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-24258-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards smoking have been extensively researched across diverse populations with migration experience. The objective of this scoping review was to understand the extent, type, and geographical distribution of the published literature on smoking among people with migration experience across the globe.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Supported by two information specialists, we performed a comprehensive literature search (from 2012- 17 January 2024) in five databases, without language or geographic restrictions. The search yielded 8,400 potentially relevant records after deduplication. After title and abstract screening, 305 full texts were included for descriptive analysis and out of these, 25 that covered all three aspects (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour) were included for content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review identified a predominance of quantitative studies (87%), with a smaller proportion of qualitative (12%) and mixed-methods studies (2%). Most studies focused on behavioural prevalence related to tobacco and nicotine product consumption, with 72% addressing behaviours specifically, though only a subset (26%) focused directly on tobacco and/or nicotine use among migrants. Geographical analysis revealed that most of the research originated from high-income countries in particular the USA (n = 126), Canada (n = 32), and Germany (n = 20), with notable gaps in regions with significant migrant populations, such as Saudi Arabia (n = 1). Among the 25 KAB-focused studies, data collection was based on surveys (52%), interviews (40%), and focus groups (28%). Findings showed varying knowledge of tobacco harms, shaped by socio-economic status, acculturation, and health literacy. Attitudes were influenced by culture and religion, while smoking behaviours were driven by gender, stress, peer influence, and migration-related pressures. Terminology varied across studies, with inconsistent definitions for key terms \"migrants\" and \"immigrants,\" complicating comparisons between populations and countries. Definitions of tobacco products also varied across studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This scoping review reveals significant gaps in research on migrants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards tobacco and nicotine consumption, including a lack of qualitative studies, inconsistent terminology, and a geographic focus on high-income countries. Addressing these gaps through expanded research in underrepresented regions and standardising terminology is essential for developing culturally relevant public health strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3217"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486493/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lyme borreliosis risk perceptions, disease knowledge, and training among at-risk groups.","authors":"R Walsh, M Gormally, C Williams, Caitríona Carlin","doi":"10.1186/s12889-025-23604-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12889-025-23604-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. Although there are indicators that disease risk is higher in the west of Ireland than other areas of Ireland, regional incidence data to confirm this, and to drive effective risk communication is sparse. Professions (e.g. farming, forestry) or recreational activities (e.g. hiking, trail running) that require spending time in tick habitats increase the risk of exposure. The present study is designed to provide baseline information on the perceptions, knowledge, and training of at-risk groups in Ireland relating to LB.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study used an online questionnaire to gather data on perceived risk, disease-related knowledge, and the receipt of training by at-risk individuals (n = 443) in Ireland. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0.1.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study found a median perceived risk of 3/5 (i.e. moderate). There was no difference geographically in perceived risk, despite regional differences in environmental risk factors and cumulative neuroborreliosis rates. The majority (77%) of respondents identified woodlands/scrub as habitats carrying highest LB risk. Fewer than half (48%) of respondents mentioned or described the pathognomonic erythema migrans rash when asked to describe symptoms of LB, and 37% listed erythema migrans plus at least one flu-like symptom. As respondents' perception of risk increased, so did their ability to identify woodland/scrub as risk habitats, and early LB symptoms. However, when asked to rate the amount of training they had received on a 5-point scale (1 indicates no training and 5 indicates maximum training) respondents in at-risk professions indicated a minimal amount of training (median = 2/5) on tick bite and LB prevention, and people engaging in leisure activities gave a response which indicated no training (median = 1/5). Greater levels of training were associated with greater proportions of respondents indicating woodland/scrub habitats as high-risk habitats (p = 0.003, T = 8.876), and describing erythema migrans as a LB symptom (p = 0.08, T = 7.007).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings identify the need for more robust risk communication in Ireland, more training for at-risk groups, and the use of targeted awareness campaigns to address knowledge gaps. The implications of the study findings for international research are also discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":9039,"journal":{"name":"BMC Public Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"3160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487398/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}