A Cross-Sectional Study of Evidence-based practice and association factors among nurses in public health facilities of Dessie city, Northeast Ethiopia

Tariku Yimam Asnakew Molla Mekonen Yawkal Tsega Endalkachew Mesfin Gebeyehu ^*

• Department of Health System Management, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences,, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is vital in modern healthcare for improving patient outcomes and enhancing care quality. Nurses are key to implementing EBP in clinical settings; however, its utilization remains suboptimal, particularly in resource-limited environments. In Ethiopia, nursing practice often relies on experience, tradition, intuition, and untested theories. There is a notable lack of information regarding EBP implementation by nurses in Ethiopia, especially in the study area, with limited empirical evidence assessing the level of EBP adoption and associated factors among nurses in these facilities. This study aims to evaluate EBP and its associated factors among nurses in public health facilities in Dessie city, Northeast Ethiopia.Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 442 nurses in public health facilities in Dessie City from January 17 to February 17, 2023. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select participants. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed through bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.Results: The study found that the prevalence of good EBP utilization among nurses was 37.6% (95% CI: 32.9%–42.2%), indicating a low adoption level. The mean age of participants was 41.34 (±12.86) years. Significant factors associated with EBP implementation included knowledge of EBP (AOR = 6.01), type of health facility (AOR = 2.89), and attitude towards EBP (AOR = 3.41). Barriers to EBP adoption included limited resources (34.4%), high workload (27.5%), and lack of internet access (68.7%). Less than 10% of nurses used nursing journals as evidence sources, whereas 73.4% relied on information from coworkers.Conclusion: The study reveals a low prevalence of EBP utilization among nurses in Dessie City. The strong associations between EBP adoption and factors such as knowledge, attitude, and type of facility underscore the need for targeted interventions. Enhancing access to EBP training, research resources, and institutional support could significantly improve EBP implementation, ultimately leading to better patient care and health outcomes.