Assessing the Utilization of Evidence-based Practices and Identifying the Determining Factors Influencing their Adoption among Nurses in Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Evidence-based practice is a clinical approach in which practitioners combine the latest research findings with their professional expertise to make informed decisions, taking into account the individual client's preferences and values. The study aimed to assess the trend of utilizing evidence-based practice and identifying determinant factors among hospital nurses in South Ethiopia. Data were collected using an institution-based cross-sectional study design at Wollayta Sodo and Halaba Kulito Hospital from March to April 2023. A simple random sampling method was used to select 418 hospital nurses. Data were inserted into EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Significant variables associated with the dependent variable were declared at p-value <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Overall, only 56% of the participants had good evidence-based practice utilization. Predictors including good knowledge level (AOR =6.88: 95% CI: 4.324–10.942), training evidence-based practices (AOR = 1.78:95% CI: 1.11–2.855), and having confidence in their work area (AOR = 2.19: 95% CI: 1.22–3.929) were significantly associated with evidence-based practices utilization. The overall utilization of evidence-based practice is relatively low. Nurses who have good knowledge of EBP, are taking training, and have confidence in the working areas are the predominant predictors. Therefore, enhancing nurses' knowledge by including EBP in the nursing curriculum and providing training about evidence-based practices to enhance the utilization of EBP.