Knowledge and Attitude Toward Evidence-Based Medicine and Associated Factors Among Medical Interns in Amhara Regional State Teaching Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is widely accepted in medicine. It is necessary to improve the knowledge and attitudes of medical students in the use of evidence. In Ethiopia, little is known about medical students’ knowledge and attitudes toward EBM. Objective This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward EBM and its associated factors among medical interns in teaching hospitals. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a random sample of medical interns in teaching hospitals in Ethiopia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with the knowledge and attitudes toward EBM. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval and P≤.05 was used to quantify strength of association between variables. Results Out of a sample of 423 medical interns, 403 completed the questionnaire (95.3% response rate). Overall, 68.0% (274/403 of respondents had a favorable attitude toward EBM and 57.1% (230/403) had good knowledge of EBM. The majority (355/403, 88.1%) of participants had internet access. Only 19.6% (79/403) of respondents had received EBM-related training. Respondents’ knowledge of EBM was associated with previous EBM training (AOR 2.947, 95% CI 1.648-5.268, P<.001), understanding of sensitivity (AOR 2.836, 95% CI 1.824-4.408, P=.003), and internet access (AOR 2.914, 95% CI 1.494-5.685, P=.002). The use of an electronic database as a source of information (AOR 1.808, 95% CI 1.143-2.861, P=.01) and understanding of absolute risk reduction (AOR 2.750, 95% CI 1.105-6.841, P=.03) were predictors of positive attitudes. Conclusions This study demonstrates a lack of formal EBM training and awareness of basic concepts of EBM among medical interns. Medical intern attitudes toward EBM are relatively good. To enhance EBM knowledge and skills, formal teaching of EBM should be integrated into medical education.