Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Feby Savira; Sheikh M Alif; Afsana Afroz; Bodrun Naher Siddiquea; Aishwarya Shetty; Hasina Akhter Chowdhury; Oashe Bhattacharya; Mohammad Rocky Khan Chowdhury; Md Shariful Islam; Liaquat Ali; Baki Billah

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064468

Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open. 2022 Dec 12;12(12):e064468. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064468.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
² School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Centre of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Department of Public Health, First Capital University of Bangladesh, Chuadanga, Bangladesh.
⁶ Pothikrit Institute of Health Studies, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁷ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia baki.billah@monash.edu.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in rural Bangladesh.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between June and November 2021.

Setting: This study was conducted in rural Bangladesh.

Participants: People older than 18 years of age, not pregnant and no history of surgery for the last 3 months were eligible to participate.

Primary and secondary outcomes: The primary outcomes were proportions of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and roll-out participation among the rural population. The secondary outcome was identification of correlates which contributed to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and roll-out participation. Χ² tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify relevant correlates such as sociodemographic factors, clinical conditions and COVID-19-related factors.

Results: A total of 1603 participants were enrolled. The overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was very high (1521/1601, 95%), and half of the participants received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of participants wanted to keep others safe (89%) and agreed to the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines (88%). To fulfil the requirement of online registration for the vaccine at the time, 62% of participants had to visit an internet café and only 31% downloaded the app. Over half (54%) of participants were unaware of countries they knew and trust to produce the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased age, being housewives, underweight and undergraduate education level were associated with vaccine acceptance, while being female, increased age and being overweight/obese were associated with vaccine uptake. Trust in the health department and practical knowledge regarding COVID-19 vaccines were positively associated with both vaccine acceptance and uptake.

Conclusion: This study found a very high COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in rural Bangladesh. Policymakers should support interventions aimed at increasing vaccine and general health literacy and ensure ongoing vaccine supply and improvement of infrastructure in rural areas.

Keywords: COVID-19; epidemiology; health policy; public health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bangladesh / epidemiology
COVID-19 Vaccines*
COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Pregnancy
Rural Population
Vaccination

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines