Nurses’ practice towards Evidence Based Practice in nursing process and associated factors in South Wollo Zone Public Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia: Mixed Method

Abstract

Abstract Background: Evidence-based practice is clinical decision-making using the best evidence available in the context of individual patients' preferences and clinical expertise. It is serving as a crucial instrument for the health science disciplines to minimize the theory-practice gap. Despite clinical effectiveness and patient safety being among its successes, its practice in the nursing process was low. Methods: An institution-based-based-sectional study with a mixed method was employed from April 1 to 30, 2023, among 419 nurses for the quantitative part and 15 others for the qualitative part. The data were collected using structured, pretested, self-administered questionnaires. Simple random sampling was used to select participants. The bivariable analysis was done primarily, and variables with a p-value < 0.25 were further examined using a multivariable logistic regression model to control con-founders. Then, variables having a p-value less than 0.05 with a 95% CI were used to declare significantly associated factors. Result: A total of 434 nurses were involved in this study; 15 of them were for the qualitative part and 419 were for the quantitative part, with a response rate of 100%. Nurses who had poor implementation of evidence-based practice in the nursing process were 191 (45.6%). Participants who were working at general hospitals (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI 1.39–8.18) and comprehensive and specialized hospitals (AOR = 7.29, 95% CI 3.06–17.31), lack of training about evidence-based practice (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.36-4.56), and lack of internet access (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI 1.43–4.23) were factors associated with poor levels of nurses’ practice towards evidence-based practice in the nursing process. Conclusion: Nurses’ practice towards evidence-based practice in the nursing process was low. Age, working in general hospitals, working in comprehensive and specialized hospitals, lack of training, and lack of internet access were factors that had associations with a poor level of nurses’ practice towards evidence-based practice in the nursing process. Hence, hospital managers give attention to internet access and training about evidence-based practice.