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

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 Arif Rabbany, Md Azizul Haque, Shishir Ranjan Chakraborty, Syeda Rukhshana Parvin, Mahmudur Rahman, Fahmida Chowdhury, Tahmina Shirin and Md. Zakiul Hassan
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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
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
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

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-14

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.

Keywords: influenza vaccine; intention to recommend; physician attitudes and behaviors; Bangladesh; Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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