Status and Individual View toward Lightning among University Students of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has seen a significant number of fatalities and injuries related to lightning in the past few years, which indicates that lightning has become a deadly hazard. This cross-sectional study aims to determine university students’ self-rated status about lightning. Additionally, it evaluates these students’ views toward lightning through knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP). A total of 1274 university students participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 90% of university students perceive lightning as a dangerous event, and 38% rated their places unsafe. More than half of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (84%) did not have lightning safety precautions, and a small portion (26%) received warning messages. Individuals encountering frequent lightning consider lightning-prone areas much more dangerous compared to the individuals encountering occasional lightning. Students living in tin sheds assessed lightning as a dangerous event (4.78 ± 0.53) and having unsafe surroundings (2.44 ± 0.98). Many individuals have enough knowledge (63%), developed positive attitudes (93%), and effective preventative practices (77%). The logistic regression analysis indicated that having adequate information and a good attitude can assist individuals in practicing lightning safety; also, student’s Gender, living with family, residential unit, university type, study year, major field, and having lightning-related subjects in university curricula as significant predictors. Females demonstrated better lightning practice than males. Additionally, lightning-related courses in university curricula are critical for educating students about lightning. Behavioral improvements among these students will require substantial lightning campaign actions coupled with effective education.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Dengue Fever Among Slum Dwellers: A Case Study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

“…However, knowing the resident’s knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of DF is critical for efficient vector-borne disease control [ 21 ]. The KAP model, developed in the 1950s, has been widely used to assess survey respondents’ understanding of a subject [ 8 , 9 , 22 , 23 ]. The simple design, normative data, and precise report make this survey approach convenient [ 24 ].…”