Community health nurses' knowledge of Lyme disease: implications for surveillance and community education

Abstract

A statewide assessment was conducted to determine the general knowledge and professional practices about Lyme disease (LD) of local health department nurses. The study sample included 226 nurses practicing in 80 health departments in Indiana. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using group independent t tests. Findings showed that nurses were most knowledgeable about personal protection against LD and least knowledgeable about symptoms, case definition, and reporting criteria. Nonbaccalaureate degreed nurses scored significantly higher on questions about LD than the baccalaureate or master's prepared nurses. Results point to the need for better dissemination of LD information among public health nurses, expanded LD education for the public, and further development of LD surveillance activities.