Evidence-based practice utilization and associated factors among nurses working in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Applying evidence-based practice during care provision is essential because it improves the quality of care, reduces health care costs, and increases patient and family satisfaction. However, information on evidence-based nursing practice and associated factors were not well studied and documented in the study area. Hence, this study aimed to assess utilization and associated factors of evidence-based practice among nurses working in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 18 to April 16, 2019, in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 684 respondents. Data were collected using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7.1.2.0 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. The bivariable analysis was used primarily and variables with p-value < 0.2 were further examined using a multivariable logistic regression model to control con-founders. Then, variables’ p-value < 0.05 with 95% CI was used to determine associated factors. RESULTS: From 684 proposed nurses, 671 of them completed the questionnaire giving 98.1% response rate. Of these, 55% (95% CI: 51.2, 58.9) of them had good evidence-based practice utilization. Variables including single (AOR = 1.662: 95% CI: 1.089–2.536), fewer work experience (AOR = 1.849: 95% CI: 1.049–3.257), good knowledge (AOR = 2.044: 95% CI: 1.406–2.972), effective communication skill (AOR = 2.537: 95% CI: 1.744–3.689), EBP training (AOR = 3.224 95% CI: 1.957–5.311), internet access (AOR = 1.655: 95% CI: 1.119–2.448) and evidence-based guideline availability (AOR = 1.827: 95% CI: 1.249–2.673) were found to be predictors of evidence-based practice utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that evidence-based practice utilization among nurses is low. Availing evidence-based guidelines in the work area, improving facilities’ internet access, and building nurses’ evidence-based practice competencies through either by giving separate training or incorporating as part of the curriculum would improve its utilization.