Tick Protective Clothing Kids will Actually Wear

The risk of tick-borne diseases (TBD) continues to rise throughout the United States with tick populations of different species, each carrying their own cadre of disease pathogens, both increasing and expanding their ranges. Some of the most common strategies for tick protection include wearing long pants, treating outdoor clothing with permethrin or special insect repellent or insecticide, wearing light-colored clothing, tucking shirt into pants and tucking pants into socks, none of which have been taken up by the public to the level needed to provide protection. This project will incorporate the skills of a fiber science & apparel design student to survey boys, who are the NYers of most risk for tick-borne disease, and their guardians, to determine what tick protection they currently use and how clothing selection might help to better protect them from ticks. Clothing options that prevent ticks from reaching skin, are comfortable, durable enough to handle rough use, affordable and stylish enough so they will be worn will be presented to participants in the study.

Roles and responsibilities 

The student will spend the first third of the project period researching the literature investigating the effectiveness of different tick-protective strategies, the most highly recommended strategies for preventing tick bites for children, and the uptake (or lack thereof) of these recommendations. The student will then develop a survey to be distributed to 4H summer camp participants and their guardians to provide baseline data about what strategies are being used. Based on the findings of the literature review and the survey, the student will then work with Joellen Lampman to put together a training program regarding tick protection which will include recommendations for protective clothing that are readily available in stores that carry children’s clothing.  The student will also source sample outfits from affordable retailers such as Walmart, Old Navy and Target. These trainings will be delivered with 4H groups across eastern NY during July. A post survey will analyze the effectiveness of training towards knowledge, attitudes, and uptake of tick protection strategies. The student and mentors will also seek to understand and minimize the gaps between recommendations and uptake.  The student will lead analysis of the results and training during the first half of August.

Qualifications and previous coursework

This opportunity is available to students in Cornell University's College of Human Ecology.

While this project may be of special interest to students in fiber science & apparel design majors or minors interested in how clothing can be used to protect human health, it is open to any student interested in public health behavior change and communication.

Learning outcomes 

The student will be exposed to a project incorporating a literature review, survey tool development, educational program leadership and communication theories.