Table 1 Participants’ attitude regarding sunlight exposure across different demographic strata has been compared. In response to the questions, here we presented the number of participants (n) alongside frequency percentage (%). A significant difference in attitude was observed, as suggested by p-value of less than 0.001
Questions asked to the respondents | Answer options (checkbox) | Registered doctors n = 400 (%) | Intern doctors n = 457 (%) | MBBS students (4th / 5th year); n = 957 (%) | BDS students (4th / 5th year); n = 376 (%) | χ2 | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In general, what is the level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight in Bangladesh? | Very High | 96 (24%) | 165 (36%) | 211 (22%) | 105 (28%) | 89.623630 |  < 0.001 |
Moderate | 228 (57%) | 238 (52%) | 526 (55%) | 220 (61%) | |||
Low | 40 (10%) | 18 (4%) | 57 (6%) | 19 (5%) | |||
Almost absent | 12 (3%) | 9 (2%) | 19 (2%) | 4 (1%) | |||
Do not Know | 24 (6%) | 27 (6%) | 144 (15%) | 23 (6%) | |||
In your opinion, what can be the potential effects of regular sunlight exposure on the health of Bangladeshi people? | Very harmful | 88 (22%) | 128 (28%) | 258 (27%) | 128 (34%) | 36.343289 |  < 0.001 |
Fairly harmful | 188 (47%) | 174 (38%) | 373 (39%) | 150 (40%) | |||
Fairly good | 76 (19%) | 123 (27%) | 230 (24%) | 64 (17%) | |||
Very good | 36 (9%) | 23 (5%) | 77 (8%) | 23 (6%) | |||
There is no relationship | 12 (3%) | 9 (2%) | 19 (2%) | 11 (3%) | |||
If Bangladeshi people spend half an hour daily in direct sunlight, what could be the possible harmful effects?* | Skin burn | 116 (29%) | 288 (63%) | 392 (41%) | 188 (50%) | 126.940562 |  < 0.001 |
Reduce brightness of the skin | 268 (67%) | 247 (54%) | 555 (58%) | 203 (54%) | |||
Increasing risk of cancer | 64 (16%) | 123 (27%) | 335 (35%) | 147 (39%) | |||
Dehydration | 64 (16%) | 151 (33%) | 249 (26%) | 128 (34%) | |||
Heat stroke | 64 (16%) | 91 (20%) | 182 (19%) | 120 (32%) | |||
In your opinion, what is the level of necessity for Bangladeshi people to use sunscreen to avoid the negative effects of direct sunlight? | Should be used always | 104 (26%) | 224 (49%) | 412 (43%) | 229 (61%) | 126.498326 |  < 0.001 |
Can be used sometimes | 252 (63%) | 215 (47%) | 431 (45%) | 120 (32%) | |||
No need to use at all | 24 (6%) | 5 (1%) | 57 (6%) | 8 (2%) | |||
Not sure | 20 (5%) | 14 (3%) | 57 (6%) | 19 (5%) | |||
Have you ever checked your own vitamin D level? | Yes | 48 (12%) | 37 (8%) | 115 (12%) | 53 (14%) | 26.264611 |  < 0.001 |
No | 332 (83%) | 370 (81%) | 756 (79%) | 308 (82%) | Â | ||
Not sure | 20 (5%) | 50 (11%) | 86 (9%) | 15 (4%) | Â | ||
Considering the overall condition, which of the following options might be most effective to ensure adequate vitamin D level for Bangladeshi population? | Taking fortified food containing vitamin D | 156 (39%) | 142 (31%) | 431 (45%) | 199 (53%) | 71.664610 |  < 0.001 |
Taking vitamin D supplement | 76 (19%) | 119 (26%) | 172 (18%) | 75 (20%) | |||
Regular sunlight exposure | 160 (40%) | 178 (39%) | 316 (33%) | 79 (21%) | |||
Not sure | 8 (2%) | 18 (4%) | 38 (4%) | 23 (6%) |