LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE INFORMATION
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE:
1. To measure awareness and perceived risk of Lyme disease in the adult population
2. To provide baseline data for the evaluation of initiatives to increase awareness and use of
protective measures related to Lyme disease.
MODULE HISTORY
Date Module Added to CATI: September 2011, Cycle 9
Date Module Revised:
May 2013:
- response categories added to lyme_a5
January 2015:
- response categories added/revised for lyme_a2 and lyme_a3
- lyme_a5 and lyme_a6 moved to new Lyme disease - Tick Removal module
Date Module Deleted From CATI:
DATA DICTIONARY HISTORY:
Date Created: March 13, 2014
Date Revised: December 10, 2014
Date Retired From Use:
Date of last data dictionary update: December 10, 2014
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: lyme_a1
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 9 – new variable
QUESTION:
Have you ever read, seen or heard anything about Lyme disease?
Response Options
1
yes
3
qualified yes (I guess, I think so)
5
no
8
don’t know/not sure
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES: none
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS:
RRFSS 2011 Questionnaire: WNV Awareness module and Mosquito Protection - Personal
module
BRFSS 2000 – Maine State: Lyme disease module
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: none
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: none
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: lyme_a2@1 - lyme_a2@5
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 9 – new variable
QUESTION:
Can you tell me how people get Lyme disease?
Interviewer: DO NOT read list. Enter 1 to all that apply.
Only if Respondent asks for the correct response, AFTER RECORDING, THEN ANSWER:
"People get Lyme disease from bacteria passed on through a tick bite"
lyme_a2@1
lyme_a2@2
lyme_a2@3
lyme_a2@4
lyme_a2@5
ticks / tick bites
mosquitoes / insects / bugs / bug bites
bacteria / virus / germs
blood
other (specify)
Response Options
0
not mentioned by respondent
1
yes
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
 Only asked of respondents who had heard of Lyme disease (lyme_a1=1 or 3)
 Don’t know (8) and refused (9) are coded in lyme_a2@1 only
 Category lyme_a2@2 changed from “other insect bites” to “mosquitoes/insects/bugs/bug
bites” (January 2015) based on review of text files
 Text file requires separate analysis for “other” response (lyme_a2@5)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS:
RRFSS 2011 Questionnaire: WNV Awareness module and Mosquito Protection - Personal
module
BRFSS 2000 – Maine State: Lyme disease module
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: none
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: none
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: lyme_a3@1- lyme_a3@8
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 9 – new variable
QUESTION:
Can you tell me the early symptoms of Lyme disease?
Interviewer: DO NOT read list. Enter 1 to all that apply.
lyme_a3@1
lyme_a3@2
lyme_a3@3
lyme_a3@4
lyme_a3@5
lyme_a3@6
lyme_a3@7
lyme_a3@8
lyme_a3@9
rash
circular / bull's eye rash
tired / fatigue
fever or chills
muscle / joint pain / stiff neck
swollen lymph nodes
flu-like symptoms
other (specify)
headache
Response Options
0
not mentioned by respondent
1
yes
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
 Only asked of respondents who had heard of Lyme disease (lyme_a1=1 or 3)
 Don’t know (8) and refused (9) are coded in lyme_a3@1 only
 Category lyme_a3@1 changed from “red rash” to “rash” (January 2015)
 Category lyme_a3@5 revised to add “stiff neck” (January 2015)
 Category lyme_a3@9 “headache” added (January 2015)
 January 2015 changes made based on review of text files
 Text file requires separate analysis for “other” response (lyme_a3@8)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS:
RRFSS 2011 Questionnaire: WNV Awareness module and Mosquito Protection - Personal
module
BRFSS 2000 – Maine State: Lyme disease module
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: none
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: none
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: lyme_a4
VARIABLE HISTORY:
Cycle 9 – new variable
QUESTION:
During the past spring or summer, would you say you are at high risk, medium risk, low risk or
no risk of getting Lyme disease? (September to April)
During this spring or summer, would you say you are at high risk, medium risk, low risk or no
risk of getting Lyme disease? (May to August)
Response Options
1
high risk
2
medium risk
3
low risk
4
no risk
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
 Only asked of respondents who had heard of Lyme disease (lyme_a1=1 or 3)
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS:
RRFSS 2011 Questionnaire: WNV Awareness module and Mosquito Protection - Personal
module
BRFSS 2000 – Maine State: Lyme disease module
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: none
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: none
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: lyme_a5@1- lyme_a5@5
VARIABLE HISTORY:
September 2011, Cycle 9 – new variable
January 2015, Cycle 19 – moved to new Lyme Disease - Tick Removal module
QUESTION:
If you found a tick attached to your skin, how would you remove it?
Interviewer: DO NOT read list. Enter 1 to all that apply.
lyme_a5@1
lyme_a5@2
lyme_a5@4
lyme_a5@5
lyme_a5@3
pull it out with tweezers / forceps / other tool
apply heat, salt or alcohol to the area with the tick
go to hospital, clinic, doctor or other health professional
pull / flick / pick it off using your hand
other (specify)
Response Options
0
not mentioned by respondent
1
yes
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
 Moved to new Lyme Disease - Tick Removal module (January 2015), see new Data
Dictionary for indicators.
 Only asked of respondents who had heard of Lyme disease (lyme_a1 = 1 or 3) (prior to
January 2015 move).
 Don’t know (8) and refused (9) are coded in lyme_a5@1 only
 Categories lyme_a5@4 and lyme_a5@5 added Cycle 14 (May 2013) based on review of
text files
 Text file for lyme_a5@3, other (specify), requires separate analysis
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS:
RRFSS 2011 Questionnaire: WNV Awareness module and Mosquito Protection - Personal
module
BRFSS 2000 – Maine State: Lyme disease module
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: none
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: none
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE QUESTIONS
VARIABLE NAME: lyme_a6
VARIABLE HISTORY:
September 2011, Cycle 9 – new variable
January 2015, Cycle 19 – moved to new Lyme Disease - Tick Removal module
QUESTION:
Did you know that if you find a tick on you, it can be sent for Lyme disease testing?
Response Options
1
yes
5
no
8
don’t know
9
refused
ANALYSIS ISSUES:
 Moved to new Lyme Disease - Tick Removal module (January 2015), see new Data
Dictionary for indicators.
 Only asked of respondents who had heard of Lyme disease (lyme_a1=1 or 3) (Prior to
January 2015 move).
COMPARABILITY TO OTHER SURVEYS:
RRFSS 2011 Questionnaire: WNV Awareness module and Mosquito Protection - Personal
module
BRFSS 2000 – Maine State: Lyme disease module
VALIDITY/RELIABILITY TESTS: none
EVALUATION QUESTIONS: none
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE INDICATORS
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
% of adults (18+) who are aware of Lyme disease
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
To estimate the proportion of adults who are aware of Lyme disease.
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults 18+
 Apply household weights
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who are aware of Lyme disease (lyme_a1=1 or lyme_a1=3)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE INDICATORS
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
% of adults (18+) who know Lyme disease is transmitted to people via ticks.
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
To estimate the proportion of adults who know that Lyme disease is transmitted to people from
ticks/tick bites.
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults 18+, including those who had not heard of Lyme disease who were
not asked this question but would not know the method of transmission since they have not
heard of the disease
 Apply household weights
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who are aware Lyme disease is transmitted via ticks (lyme_a2@1=1)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE INDICATORS
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
% of adults (18+) who are aware of the early symptoms of Lyme disease
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
To estimate the proportion of adults who are aware of the early symptoms of Lyme disease (red
rash, circular/bull's eye rash, tired/fatigue, fever or chills, muscle/joint pain, swollen lymph
nodes, flu-like symptoms).
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults 18+, including those who had not heard of Lyme disease who were
not asked this question but would not know the symptoms since they have not heard of the
disease.
 Changes January 2015: lyme_a3@1 changed from “red rash” to “rash”; lyme_a3@5 revised
to add “stiff neck”; lyme_a3@9 added – “headache”
 Apply household weights
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who are aware a rash is an early symptoms of Lyme disease
(lyme_a3@1=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware a circular/bull’s eye rash is an early symptoms of Lyme
disease (lyme_a3@2=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware tired/fatigue is an early symptoms of Lyme disease
(lyme_a3@3=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware fever/chills are an early symptoms of Lyme disease
(lyme_a3@4=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware muscle/joint pain/stiff neck are an early symptoms of
Lyme disease (lyme_a3@5=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware swollen lymph nodes are an early symptoms of Lyme
disease (lyme_a3@6=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware flu-like symptoms are an early symptoms of Lyme
disease (lyme_a3@7=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who are aware headache is an early symptoms of Lyme disease
(lyme_a3@7=1)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
LYME DISEASE - AWARENESS
MODULE INDICATORS
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION:
% of adults (18+) who feel they were at high, medium, low or no risk of getting Lyme disease
during the summer
INDICATOR OBJECTIVES:
To estimate the perceived risk adults have of getting Lyme disease
ANALYSIS CHECK LIST:
 Denominator is all adults 18+, including those who had not heard of Lyme disease who were
not asked this question but would not consider themselves at risk since they have not heard
of the disease
 Apply household weights
METHOD OF CALCULATION:
# adults (18+) who feel they are at high risk of getting Lyme disease (lyme_a4=1)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who feel they are at medium risk of getting Lyme disease (lyme_a4=2)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who feel they are at low risk of getting Lyme disease (lyme_a4=3)
all adults (18+)
# adults (18+) who feel they are not at risk of getting Lyme disease (lyme_a4=4)
all adults (18+)
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)