Possible bias, we developed face-toface questionnaire surveys which were filled out by trained interviewees after

Possible bias, we developed face-toface questionnaire surveys which were filled out by trained interviewees after asking questions one by one. PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20697313/ In order to improve representativeness, the age ratio of the Sixth Census of Lhasa in 2010 was used as the reference in selecting the number in each age group. We obtained ethical approval from the Ethical Review Committee of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (No. 201214). Written informed content was obtained from all participants prior to survey and all data obtained were anonymized. The high proportion of female respondents is attributed to the fact that the majority of males go out for work in the daytime, while females tend to stay home. In LS519 chemical information addition, females may be more likely to participate and complete the surveys. The age distribution of respondents is similar to that of all adults in the 2010 Census. Ethnically, 97.6 of the sample were Tibetan, which is higher than the proportion in the overall population (88.0 ). Han Chinese and other ethnic groups in Lhasa are mostly young immigrants from other parts of China who have come to Tibet for jobs and thus may be less available to participate in surveys during daytime. In terms of education, 24.2 of respondents were illiterate and the majority of this group was in older age groups. Monthly income of participants varied across the four sub-districts. Lowincome respondents (<1000 Yuan per month), who mostlylived on Basic Living Allowances from local government or in temporary jobs, accounted for 60.1 of the sample in Bakuo, 45.2 in Gamagongsang, 35.9 in Gongdelin and 24.3 in Zhaxi. Only 58 respondents indicated that they lived alone at present, and of this number, only 10 were aged 65 and above.Perceived riskThe overwhelming majority of respondents reported climatic warming in Lhasa is already happening and poses a threat to public health (Figure 3). Over 90 percent reported the summer is very hot and oppressive to them and believed that Lhasa has experienced rising temperatures in the past few decades. Approximately 65 percent believed the climate of Lhasa would become unbearably warmer in the near future. We found widespread agreement (92 of participants) that rising temperatures impact directly or indirectly on human health. Moreover, 78 believe that the rising temperature is either a "very" or "somewhat" serious threat to their own health or daily lives, while only 3 perceived they were not sensitive to temperature increase. The responses are similar across four sub-districts, but varied among differentBai et al. Environmental Health 2013, 12:71 http://www.ehjournal.net/content/12/1/Page 5 ofFigure 3 Responses to several survey questions regarding perceived risks of the climactic warming in Lhasa.demographic groups of the sample. Females and older respondents were more likely to report that higher temperatures were dangerous. Interestingly, over 40 of high-income respondents (monthly income >5000 yuan) felt the heat was very dangerous to them, while only 18 of low-income people (monthly income <1000 yuan) gave the same answer. To the question "how worried would you be if you hear about an excessive heat warning issue in Lhasa in the near future?" 23 reported that they would be very worried, and 61 reported they would be somewhat worried. Only 3 would be not worried at all. Not surprisingly, those who felt the temperature increase was very dangerous to them were more likely to report that they would be very worr.