Exploring the perceptions of registered nurses towards evidenced-based practice in General Hospital Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of registered nurses towards evidenced-based practice. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to explore and describe registered nurses‟ perceived levels of knowledge, perceived attitudes towards, perceived application and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice. Method: A quantitative descriptive design was used for the study. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample of 150 registered nurses working in General Hospital Minna, Niger state Nigeria. Questionnaires (150) were administered to the sample, of which 133 were returned. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS, Version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise and describe the characteristics of the respondents, while correlation analysis and T-tests (inferential statistics) were used to establish the relationships of the study variables and the respondents‟ demographic characteristics. Results: The results showed that the respondents had positive perceived knowledge, attitude and practice of EBP. It also showed that inability to understand statistical terms used in research articles rated the highest perceived barrier to EBP (61.7%, n=82). There was a weak positive correlation between the age of the respondents and their knowledge of EBP, a positive correlation between age and the attitudes of the respondents and a negative correlation between the age of the respondents and their perceived practice of EBP. The results also showed that there was a negative correlation between level of knowledge and level of education, a negative correlation between nurses‟ attitudes and level of education as well as a mild positive correlation between level of education and EBP. However, there was a weak positive correlation between knowledge and years of experience, a weak negative correlation between attitude of registered nurses and their years of practice and a positive, correlation between years of practice as a registered nurses and practice of EBP. The mean knowledge of junior and senior nurses revealed a significant difference. Conclusion: Although the registered nurses expressed positive perception of EBP, certain barriers hindered their adoption. It is therefore necessary for the hospital management to design training programmes and provide the needed facilities to facilitate full adoption of EBP by nurses.