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Physicians’ Intentions to Recommend Influenza Vaccine: A Multi-Centered Hospital-Based Study Using the Theory of Planned Behavior in Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • Md Abdullah Al Jubayer Biswas

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
    Collaborative Biostatistics Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, Canada)

  • Mahbubur Rahman

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh)

  • Sazzad Hossain Khan

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Ahamed Khairul Basher

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Md Ariful Islam

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
    School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Ashrak Shad Pyash

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Homayra Rahman Shoshi

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Md Altaf Ahmed Riaj

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Md Nazrul Islam

    (Department of Neonatology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh)

  • Md Arif Rabbany

    (Department of Neonatology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh 2200, Bangladesh)

  • Md Azizul Haque

    (Department of Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi 6100, Bangladesh)

  • Shishir Ranjan Chakraborty

    (Department of Medicine and Vice Principal, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh)

  • Syeda Rukhshana Parvin

    (Department of Paediatrics, Khulna Medical College, Khulna 9000, Bangladesh)

  • Mahmudur Rahman

    (The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh)

  • Fahmida Chowdhury

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Tahmina Shirin

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh)

  • Md. Zakiul Hassan

    (Programme for Emerging Infections, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
    Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK)

Abstract

Background: Influenza remains a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Bangladesh, where vaccine uptake remains low despite the substantial disease burden. Physicians play a vital role in promoting vaccination, yet their intentions and influencing factors are not well understood. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from June to October 2022 across four tertiary-level hospitals in Bangladesh using a questionnaire grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Hierarchical logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with vaccine recommendation intentions. Results: Among 972 physicians with an average age of 32.1 years, 40.1% intended to recommend and administer the influenza vaccine. Most (85.3%) agreed vaccination reduces risk, 65.5% desired vaccination for self-protection, 63.5% would vaccinate if available at work, and 85.3% anticipated Ministry of Health support. Male (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5–2.3) and married (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–1.9) physicians were more likely to recommend vaccination. Each unit increase in attitude score doubled the likelihood of recommending the vaccine (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–3.0). Conclusions: Physicians’ influenza vaccine recommendations in Bangladesh are suboptimal, influenced by gender, marital status, and attitudes. Targeted educational interventions addressing attitudinal barriers and leveraging institutional support could improve recommendation practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Md Abdullah Al Jubayer Biswas & Mahbubur Rahman & Sazzad Hossain Khan & Ahamed Khairul Basher & Md Ariful Islam & Ashrak Shad Pyash & Homayra Rahman Shoshi & Md Altaf Ahmed Riaj & Md Nazrul Islam & Md, 2025. "Physicians’ Intentions to Recommend Influenza Vaccine: A Multi-Centered Hospital-Based Study Using the Theory of Planned Behavior in Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:1:p:84-:d:1563823
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wadu Wollancho & Demuma Amdissa & Shemsedin Bamboro & Yitbarek Wasihun & Kasahun Girma Tareke & Abraham Tamirat Gizaw, 2020. "Determining behavioral intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening among women in Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia: Application of the theory of planned behavior," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Ángela Prieto-Campo & Rosa María García-Álvarez & Ana López-Durán & Fátima Roque & Maria Teresa Herdeiro & Adolfo Figueiras & Maruxa Zapata-Cachafeiro, 2022. "Understanding Primary Care Physician Vaccination Behaviour: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, October.
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