COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among public university students in Bangladesh: Highlighting knowledge, perceptions, and attitude

Across many parts of the globe, the educational system is under a complete shutdown, falling victim to health-safety concerns of the deadly COVID-19; and Bangladesh is no exception. Reportedly, the Bangladesh government prioritized resuming public universities after bringing all the students under vaccination. However, little is known about students' intention toward the COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh. Under the circumstances, this study attempted to assess the COVID-19 vaccine-related knowledge, perceptions, attitude, and acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine of public university students. Besides, factors affecting the degrees of COVID-19 vaccine-related knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and vaccine acceptability were also explored. Results from descriptive analyses revealed that most of the respondents showed positive attitudes toward a COVID-19 vaccine, while 78% of them found to have adequate knowledge. Nevertheless, 37% of students exhibiting negative perceptions about the vaccine raised our concern. However, 72.7% of respondents intended to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Outcomes of multinomial logistic model showed that knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes significantly varied across the level of education, residence area, and COVID-19 infection history of the respondents. Further, findings of binary logistic model reported that female students, students of low family income, those free from COVID-19 infection, students having inadequate knowledge, and negative perceptions and attitudes toward the vaccine were susceptible to vaccine hesitancy and resistance. Indeed, our research will assist the authorities in better understanding the students' attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccines and in developing appropriate policies for a successful vaccination campaign in Bangladesh and other countries with similar background.