Lyme disease prevention--knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among high school students in an endemic area.

We surveyed 153 high school students in an area highly-endemic for Lyme disease. All students were familiar with Lyme disease; 14 students reported having had the disease. Ninety per cent of students believed tick-avoidance behavior could prevent Lyme disease, but fewer than half reported practicing any preventive behaviors. Students who believed a specific behavior was preventive were 3-6 times more likely than others to practice that behavior. Schools in endemic areas should educate students about Lyme disease.