Determinants of implementation of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making among nurses in primary health care facilities in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To assess the determinants of implementation of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making among nurses in primary health care facilities in Ondo State, Nigeria. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: A total number of 266 nurses in the primary health care facilities in Ondo State participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was to elicit responses from the respondents via an online survey platform, called Google form. Findings from this study was presented in frequency-percentage tables and inferential statistics was certified using Chi-square analysis at 5% statistical level of significance. Results: There was an association between respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge on EBP in clinical decision-making, marital status (X²= 5.16, P=0.023) and the professional cadre, CNO (X²=17.95, P= 0.012). In addition, it was revealed from the findings of this study there is no significant relationship between knowledge and level of implementation of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making among nurses (X²= 0.15, 0.702). The last hypothesis identified an association between respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and level of implementation on EBP in clinical decision-making (Age: X²=11. 77, P=0.008; professional cadre; X²=31.47, P= 0.000). Conclusion: The study concluded that though nurses overall, had a good knowledge of EBP but was mostly reported amidst ward managers; this can be linked to their job responsibility. With the apex nurses having the lowest records; this may be due to the fact that they are not directly involved in patients care. Similarly, the proportion of high level of implementation was more among respondents between age 51-60years compared to those that are age 21-30years. Therefore, it is recommended that nurse administrators focus on training of newly employed nurses on EBP and its components and establishment of platforms where new ideas on evidence-based findings can be taught and shared with professional colleagues.