Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations: a cross-sectional community survey in Bangladesh

  1. Md. Saiful Islam
  2. Abu Bakkar Siddique
  3. Rejina Akter
  4. Rafia Tasnim
  5. Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan
  6. Paul R. Ward
  7. Md. Tajuddin Sikder

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Abstract

Background

Several vaccines have been approved for use against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and distributed globally in different regions. However, general community knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations are poorly understood. Thus, the study aimed to investigate community knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations in Bangladesh.

Methods

An exploratory and anonymous population-based e-survey was conducted among 1658 general individuals (55.6% male; mean age = 23.17 ± 6.05 years; age range = 18–65 years). The survey was conducted using a semi-structured and self-reported questionnaire containing informed consent along with four sections (i.e., socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions). Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the variables predicting knowledge, and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccinations.

Results

The mean scores of knowledge and attitudes were 2.83 ± 1.48 (out of 5) and 9.34 ± 2.39 (out of 12) respectively. About a quarter of participants thought that the COVID-19 vaccination available in Bangladesh is safe, only 60% will have the vaccination and about two-thirds will recommend it to family and friends. In the multiple regression model, higher SES, having university/ higher levels of education, having nuclear families and having previous history of essential vaccines uptake were associated with knowledge; whilst attitudes were significantly associated with being female and having previous history of essential vaccines uptake. Just over half of the participants thought that everyone should be vaccinated and 61% responded that health workers should be vaccinated first on priority basis. 95% of respondents believed the vaccine should be administered free of charge in Bangladesh and almost 90% believed that the COVID-19 vaccine used in Bangladesh may have side effects.

Conclusions

The findings reflect inadequate knowledge but more positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine among the general population in Bangladesh. In order to improve knowledge, immediate health education programs need to be initiated before mass vaccination are scheduled.

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  1. Version published to 10.1186/s12889-021-11880-9
  2. ScreenIT

    SciScore for 10.1101/2021.02.16.21251802: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    NIH rigor criteria are not applicable to paper type.

    Table 2: Resources

    Software and Algorithms
    SentencesResources
    A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and incorporated into the Google survey tool (Google Forms) and a shareable link was generated and disseminated publicly on various social media outlets (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.).
    Google
    suggested: (Google, RRID:SCR_017097)
    Statistical analysis: The data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and SPSS version 25.0 (Chicago, IL, USA)
    Microsoft Excel
    suggested: (Microsoft Excel, RRID:SCR_016137)
    The excel file was then imported into SPSS software.
    SPSS
    suggested: (SPSS, RRID:SCR_002865)

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).

    Results from LimitationRecognizer: We detected the following sentences addressing limitations in the study:
    Limitations: There are certain limitations that should be addressed in the interpretation of the findings from this study. Firstly, the study was cross-sectional, so the causality cannot be attributed to the findings in the regression models. In this respect, a longitudinal study is important. Secondly, the study used an online self-reporting method that may be exposed to social acceptability and memory biases. However, the survey was performed prior to the mass vaccination period in Bangladesh, and its findings may vary after the vaccination program has been implemented. Nevertheless, this is the first study of community perceptions about COVID-19 vaccinations in Bangladesh and will be crucial for health policy makers and planners who are aiming to vaccinate the highest proportion of the population possible in order to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.

    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.

    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.

    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    About SciScore

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  3. Version published to 10.1101/2021.02.16.21251802v2 on medRxiv
  4. Version published to 10.1101/2021.02.16.21251802v1 on medRxiv