Abstract
Vaccination is undoubtedly one of the most effective strategies to halt the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to investigate the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and its associated factors using two health behavior change frameworks: the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A total of 639 Bangladeshi adults (mean age: 24 years) participated in a cross-sectional online study between July and August 2021. The questionnaire covered questions regarding vaccine intentions, sociodemographic features, health status, perceived trust in/satisfaction with health authorities, reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and factors related to the health behavior change frameworks. Hierarchical logistic regression was employed to determine associations between these predictors and vaccine acceptance. The intention to get a COVID-19 vaccination was expressed among 85% of the participants. In fully adjusted models, students and respondents with more normal body weights reported higher intentions to get vaccinated. Respondents were also more likely to seek vaccination if they reported greater levels of perceived susceptibility, benefits, and cues to action, as well as lower levels of barriers and self-efficacy. Fear of future vaccine side effects was the most common reason for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and was expressed by 94% of the vaccine-hesitant respondents. These factors should be considered by health authorities in Bangladesh and perhaps other countries when addressing the plateauing COVID-19 vaccination rates in many populations.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been designated as a pandemic and a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) [1]
Amongst respondents who expressed vaccine hesitancy, we found that doubt in vaccine effectiveness and inadequate information regarding the vaccine were the most commonly stated reasons respondents gave for not accepting the vaccine
A successful vaccination program relies on high rates of vaccine acceptance to achieve herd immunity
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been designated as a pandemic and a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) [1]. At the time of writing, Bangladesh has recorded 1,568,857 COVID-19 cases and 27,847 deaths, which have placed a great burden on human mental and physical health, as well as on economic sustainability in the country [2]. To cope with this situation, countries around the globe have adopted stringent measures and restrictions to limit the spread of the virus, which include but are not limited to social isolation, obligatory use of face masks, and travel restrictions [4]. The most promising strategy to control the pandemic is a vaccine with an established track record of efficacy and a successful vaccination rollout [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
