Understanding the barriers to engagement in a passive tick surveillance program to inform public health strategies in Connecticut.

The incidence of tick-borne diseases is rapidly increasing in the United States, and public health surveillance systems are essential for monitoring these trends. Passive tick surveillance provides data on the distribution of tick species, the prevalence of infection in ticks, and the risk of human infection with tick-borne pathogens. The Passive Tick Surveillance Program at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES-PTSP) receives ticks from the community and tests them for common tick-borne pathogens. Although overall submissions have increased (2016-2023), recent patterns show a disproportionate decline in submissions from Connecticut towns with a high incidence of Lyme disease. To investigate these discrepancies, we mailed flyers to randomly selected household addresses in eight towns, inviting residents to participate in an online survey assessing their perceptions, behaviors, and knowledge of tick-borne diseases and the CAES-PTSP. Survey responses (n = 331) were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression to link demographic factors with participation barriers, including prevention attitudes, prior CAES-PTSP involvement, and perceived importance of surveillance programs. Our findings reveal disparities in participation and awareness of the CAES-PTSP, emphasizing the need for tailored outreach to address communities' knowledge gaps about the program. These findings offer recommendations to improve engagement in the CAES-PTSP in Connecticut and support public health authorities conducting similar surveillance activities.