Willingness to Vaccinate against COVID-19 among Bangladeshi Sanitation and Waste Workers: Workplace Setting Approach to Maximize Vaccination Coverage

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is paramount to protect the sanitation and waste workers of Bangladesh during this pandemic as they work in a variety of hazardous conditions. To avail the successful coverage it is also essential to identify the factors regarding facilitating the process including their willingness for COVID-19 vaccination. Objective: This study was aimed to explore the factors related to willingness for COVID-19 vaccination among this worker group. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a mixed-method approach was conducted among 800 sanitation and waste workers and 20 administrative authorities from the sanitation and waste management department of Dhaka city. Quantitative data was collected from the sanitation and waste workers of both North and South City Corporations of Dhaka and qualitative information was gathered from the respective administrative authorities. Logistic regression analysis and Chi-square test were used for the quantitative analysis, while the thematic analysis was used to extract results from qualitative data. Results: Although, most authorities were found to be knowledgeable, while workers had poor knowledge and misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccination. Majority workers (94.6%) had willingness to be vaccinated, owing to the effective implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine policy of Bangladesh government such as various motivational programs, assistance in vaccine registration process, establishment of special vaccine administration etc. Willingness towards vaccination found significant among the workers who were married (AOR=2.93), had more than two children (AOR=2.97), had monthly family income more than 30,000/- BDT (AOR=4.94), consumed smokeless tobacco (AOR=2.77) and who got all the necessary personal protective equipment available in their job (AOR=2.60). Conclusion: This study reflected the incredible success in willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 among sanitation workers of Bangladesh. It is important to develop and implement action plan at policy level to protect the vulnerable groups through various relevant programs that would ensure the full coverage of vaccination across the country. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2023; 49(1): 47-55