International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Religion, Politics, and Vaccines: Elaborating the Integrative Public Policy Acceptance (IPAC) Framework Through HPV Vaccine Program Acceptance Among Religious Leaders in Bangladesh

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Md Towhidur Rahman 1, 2
Sultan Mahmood 3
Katie Attwell 2
1 Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Public Administration, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2 VaxPolLab, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
3 ShuHaRi Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh
10.34172/ijhpm.9179
Abstract
Background 
In October 2023, Bangladesh introduced a free, single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 9–14 through its national vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among Bangladeshi females, caused by the HPV. Although vaccine hesitancy was not a significant issue before the COVID-19 pandemic, experiences from that pandemic and global literature suggest that the population’s uptake of this vaccine may face barriers due to concerns related to reproductive health, fertility, and cultural and religious beliefs. This is particularly relevant in a country where Islam is the state religion, 91% of the population is Muslim, and religious leaders hold significant influence over public opinion.
 
Methods 
Building upon the recently developed Integrative Public Policy Acceptance (IPAC) framework, this qualitative study explores the factors shaping religious leaders’ support for the HPV vaccine informing their potential role in promoting it. Semi-structured interviews with leaders from Bangladesh’s five main Islamic traditions were thematically analysed using NVivo 14 with inductive and deductive coding.
 
Results 
Islamic religious leaders’ varying support for HPV vaccinations in Bangladesh was influenced by their limited awareness of cervical cancer, as well as their religious and social concerns about ingredients, side effects and a fear of promoting promiscuity. Political ideologies also played a significant role, as leaders were less supportive of the program when they perceived the government as ideologically opposed to the beliefs or practices of their specific religious tradition.
 
Conclusion 
The study’s contribution to the IPAC framework highlights the importance of political consensus in policy acceptance, explaining how partisanship and ideological differences impact public policy compliance. The findings underscore the need for health systems in Muslim majority countries to engage with religious authorities, build political inclusivity and consensus, and align health policies with religious and cultural values.

Highlights

Md Towhidur Rahman (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords
Cervical Cancer
HPV Vaccine
Vaccine Hesitancy
Bangladesh
Muslim Religious Leaders
Political Consensus
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 15, Issue 1
2026
Pages 1-13

  • Received Date 24 April 2025
  • Revised Date 05 December 2025
  • Accepted Date 06 January 2026
  • First Published Date 07 January 2026
  • Published Date 01 December 2026