Table 3.

Themes for barriers towards sunlight exposure.

Factor	Themes	Quotes
Internal factor	Lack of knowledge	“I got my vitamin D synthesized when I was driving. The sun rays were felt through the windscreen of my car,” (33 years old, clinician). “Vitamin D sun is the morning sun. The afternoon and evening sun do not help to produce vitamin D, right?” (27 years old, administrative staff).
	Health concern	“If we are exposed under the sun, will it cause skin cancer? That is why I prefer to stay indoors” (49 years old, administrative staff). “I have this stigma that sunlight can make me fall sick, get fever or headache, regardless whether it is in the morning, afternoon or evening’s sunlight,” (41 years old, administrative staff). “I can’t stand with the hot sun these days. It is so much different compared to younger days, and the heat was unbearable. I believe the sun rays these days is harmful and can cause cancer. It is because of the thinning ozone,” (32 years old, administrative staff). “I am a patient of cardiovascular disease. I had a minor stroke two years ago. That is why I didn’t go out much these days. Whenever I walk, I tend to get tired quickly, thus making me feel lazy (to walk),” (44 years old, administrative staff). “I am very much an indoor person because my health doesn’t permit (me to exercise). I must be cautious whenever (I’m) outside because my respiratory system is very sensitive. For example, if I were to go out at the park, it needs to be somewhere dust-free and less polluted because I can get sick quickly and (it) may cause prolonged cough for months,” (34 years old, executive).
	Time constraints	“I don’t have enough time to go out after work. There are times when I would only reach home at 7.00 p.m. due to heavy traffic,” (34 years old, administrative staff). I don’t have time to do any activities before or after work because I stay far from the office, approximately 30 km away. I usually reach home in an hour. Sometimes, I have to travel for 2 h,” (32 years old, administrative staff). “No time to go out on weekdays. I must fetch the kids after work. Once I reach home, I need to cook and do all the house chores. As for the weekends, I will do major cleaning, cooking and spend some family time at home. Plus, my husband works on the weekends. Most of the time, I just let the kids play at the car porch (covered) instead of going out,” (35 years old, administrative staff). “I don’t have time to do any outdoor activities on the weekends because I have part-time work commitment as a phlebotomist,” (33 years old, administrative staff).
	Desire to have fair and beautiful skin	“I wear long sleeves whenever I’m out because it’s hot and I’m afraid of becoming dark,” (37 years old, clinician). “I used to have a lot of freckles. My beautician said the UV rays could cause freckles. That is why I avoid sun exposure,” (35 years old, administrative staff). “I think because of ageing, I have been consistently using SPF moisturizer for the past three years to keep hydrated. So, I can avoid wrinkles and dry skin,” (42 years old, administrative staff).
	Sedentary lifestyle	“I don’t do any outdoor activities. The most I would do on the weekends is to hang out at eateries,” (33 years old, administrative staff). “I often spend time at home on the weekend watching television,” (24 years old, administrative staff). “I don’t know why, but even when I had the chance (to go outdoor), I prefer to stay at home or indoor activity,” (42 years old, administrative staff).
External factor	Indoor workplace	“I am confined indoors during work from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. So, sun exposure is limited during the weekdays. I normally take my lunch in the office or cafe, which is in the same building. So, there is no reason for me to go out,” (41 years old, administrative staff). “I work in a diagnostic lab that is in the basement. I don’t see the sun during working hours,” (32 years old, clinician).
	Weather	“Malaysia’s weather is so hot. So, I prefer to stay indoors,” (33 years old, clinician). “Our weather is so unpredictable, especially during the rainy season. I skip being outdoors and choose to spend the time at my favorite eateries instead,” (37 years old, administrative staff).
	Lack of social support	“My husband works during the weekends. Normally, I would wait for his off days to go for an outing. Otherwise, I just spend time with my son at home,” (35 years old, administrative staff). “I am single and don’t have a lot of friends. I will only go out to the park if my nephews or nieces come over to visit me. I wish to go out more often, but I don’t have anyone to go with,” (37 years old, academician). “My husband is not an outdoor person. He loves to go shopping and eat at the mall. So, I have no choice but to follow him as we normally go there at least twice a week,” (32 years old, executive).
	Living arrangement	“I stay in a high-rise apartment, and there is no direct sunlight coming in. I don’t get sunlight because my apartment doesn’t come with a balcony. I even have to dry my clothes inside,” (32 years old, administrative staff). “I stay at an apartment on the fourth floor, and I don’t go out often even during the weekends, just too lazy to go down,” (31 years old, clinician). “I stayed in a sub-urban landed property. I don’t get direct sunlight in my house compound. There are a lot of big trees surrounding my house,”(44 years old, administrative staff).
	Safety concern	“I prefer indoor activities instead of outdoors because of safety reasons. For example, if you were to go out during the early mornings at the park, it tends to be too quiet. I am scared to go there alone,” (38 years old, administrative staff).
	Culture and religious practices	“I enjoy outdoor activities, but I don’t like it when men are staring at me (in public),” (32 years old, executive). “I am particular in covering my aurah (part of the body that is prohibited from being revealed to other men for Muslim women). I was active before, doing workout and even join an aerobic class. However, I will make sure that I follow the rules (only exposing the face and both hands up to the wrists),” (42 years old, administrative staff).