Knowledge, Attitude, Perceived Barriers and Evidence-based Nursing Practice among Nurses at Tertiary Level Hospital in Dharan, Nepal

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To determine the level of evidence-based nursing practice, and its related knowledge, attitude, and perceived barriers, and the predicting factors of evidence-based nursing practice among nurses at a tertiary level hospital in Nepal. Method: A total of 234 nurses who were randomly selected by using systematic random sampling technique participated in this study. Data were collected during March to April 2016 in B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Participants were asked to complete 5 self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression were computed for data analysis. Results: Evidence-based nursing practice, knowledge, attitude, and perceived barriers were all at a moderate level. Knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice and perceived barriers towards evidence-based nursing practice were significantly correlated with the practice (r = 0.45, P–value = 0.01 and r = -0.30, P–value = 0.01 respectively). However, attitude towards the practice was not associated with the practice. Results of multiple regression showed that knowledge and perceived barriers together explained about 24% of the practice variance (P-value < 0.001).  Knowledge distinctively acted as the most significant predictor of evidence-based nursing practice (β = 0.40, P-value < 0.001), followed by perceived barriers (β = -0.21, P-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Evidence-based nursing practice of Nepalese nurses was at a moderate level and was significantly associated with knowledge and perceived barriers. These findings suggest that nurses administrators should focus on evidence-based nursing practice and take measures to improve its implementation towards quality of care. Keywords: evidence-based nursing practice, knowledge, attitude, perceived barriers, Nepal