The intention of community pharmacy professionals to provide vaccination services: using the theory of planned behavior model

Abstract

Community pharmacies play a crucial role in expanding access to vaccination services. Vaccination services in Ethiopia can significantly enhance public health services by improving vaccine accessibility. However, pharmacist-led vaccination services are not yet available. This study aimed to evaluate the intention of community pharmacy professionals to provide vaccination services. The study was conducted in the towns of Debre Markos and Injibara between April 15 and May 13, 2024. A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Cronbach’s alpha, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. STATA 17 was used for statistical analysis with a significance level set at P < 0.05. The results revealed a positive attitude toward vaccination services. Participants expressed their confidence in administration and infrastructure. There was a strong intention to engage in vaccination services, with the TPB constructs of attitude ( r = 0.6187; P value < 0.0001), subjective norms ( r = 0.5757; P value < 0.0001), and perceived behavioral control ( r = 0.4040; P value = 0.0056) significantly correlated with intention. Logistic regression revealed that perceived behavioral control was significantly associated with high intention, with a crude odds ratio (COR) of 1.28 ( P = 0.001) and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.39 ( P = 0.007). Community pharmacy professionals demonstrate a positive attitude to provide vaccination services, and perceived behavioral control significantly influences their intention to provide these services. Training; healthcare partnerships; ensuring adequate staffing; supportive policies; and improved infrastructure are essential to address implementation barriers and strengthen pharmacy staff confidence.