COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Bangladeshi adults: Understanding predictors of vaccine intention to inform vaccine policy.

Clarice Lee,Ruth A Karron,Rupali J Limaye,Taylor A Holroyd,Dominick Shattuck,Alicia M Paul,Eleonor Zavala,Molly Sauer,Rachel Gur-Arie,Zixin Wang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261929

Clarice Lee, Ruth A Karron + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261929

Copy DOI

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine intention among Bangladeshi adults.MethodsSecondary data from the COVID-19 Beliefs, Behaviors & Norms Survey conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Facebook were analyzed. Data were collected from 2,669 adult Facebook users in Bangladesh and was collected between February 15 and February 28, 2021. Binomial logistic regression examined the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination intent and demographic variables, risk perception, preventive behaviors, COVID-19 knowledge, and likelihood of future actions.ResultsSeventy-nine percent of respondents reported intent to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Intent to get vaccinated was highest among females, adults aged 71–80, individuals with college or graduate-level degrees, city dwellers, and individuals who perceived that they were in excellent health. Results of the binomial logistic regression indicated that predictors of vaccination intent include age (OR = 1.39), high risk perception of COVID-19 (OR = 1.47), and intent to practice social distancing (OR = 1.22).DiscussionFindings suggest that age, perceived COVID-19 risk, and non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions may predict COVID-19 vaccination intent among Bangladeshi adults. Findings can be used to create targeted messaging to increase demand for and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh.

Highlights

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), a new strain of coronavirus, a pandemic [1]
Intent to get vaccinated was highest among females, adults aged 71– 80, individuals with college or graduate-level degrees, city dwellers, and individuals who perceived that they were in excellent health
Results of the binomial logistic regression indicated that predictors of vaccination intent include age (OR = 1.39), high risk perception of COVID-19 (OR = 1.47), and intent to practice social distancing (OR = 1.22)

Summary

Introduction

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), a new strain of coronavirus, a pandemic [1]. The country experienced an initial peak of nearly 4,000 cases per day in early July 2020, followed by a mostly declining trend through February 2021. This overall decline in cases in the early months of 2021 is most likely due to public health measures such as a nationwide lockdown, travel bans, and school closures, despite the high population density in Bangladesh [5]. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was first detected in Bangladesh in early May 2021 This highly transmissible variant emerged in late 2020 in India and contributed heavily to that country’s catastrophic surge in cases and deaths in 2021, and has since been detected in countries around the world [7]. Risk factors for COVID-19 related mortality in Bangladesh include older age (65+), male sex, and pre-existing morbidities [9, 10]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion