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.