Abstract

In spite of all the various programs and strategies to promote the use of research finding, there is still gap between theory and practice. A number of studies from various countries have reported that nurses’ experience of evidence-based practice is low. In Ethiopia, there is an information gap on the extent of evidence based nursing practice and its associated factors. The study aims to assess the implementation of evidence based nursing practice and associated factors among nurses in Jimma zone public hospitals. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1-30/2015. A total of 333 sampled nurses for quantitative and 8 in-depth interview of key informants were involved in the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was adapted from funk’s BARRIER scale and Friedman’s test. Pretest was done on 17 nurses of Bedele hospital. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors of evidence based nursing practice. Of 333 distributed questionnaires, 302 were completed, giving 90.6% response rate. Of 302 participants, 245 were involved in EBP activities different levels. About 45 (18.4%) had implemented evidence based practice to low level, 42% had implemented evidence based practice to medium level and 39.6% of the respondents had implemented evidence based practice to high level. The first greatest perceived barrier was setting characteristic. Knowledge about research evidence was positively associated with implementation of evidence based nursing practice. Similarly, place of graduation was positively associated with implementation of evidence based nursing practice. Small number of participants had implemented EPB frequently. Evidence-based nursing practice was positively associated with knowledge of research, place where respondents graduated, and the availability of information resources. Organizational factors were found to be the greatest perceived barrier. Intervention programs on awareness creation, training, resource provision, and curriculum issues to improve implementation of evidence based nursing practice by stakeholders are recommended.

Key words: Evidence based practice, nursing practice, research utilization Ethiopia.