Factors Influencing the Utilization of Evidence-Based Practice among Nurse Clinicians in a Tertiary Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

Context: The increased healthcare demand, technological advancements, and knowledge explosion have necessitated a paradigm shift from nursing practice based on intuition and tradition to evidence-based practice. Aim: The study aimed to assess factors influencing the utilization of evidence-based practice among nurse clinicians in a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study design among randomly selected 248 nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The researchers developed a structured, validated questionnaire that was used as an instrument of data collection. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the hypothesis was tested using multiple logistic regression at a 5% significance level. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 28. Results: Results showed that 192(77%) of the nurses had a positive attitude toward evidence-based practice; the findings show 184(74.2%) of the nurses had a low level of utilization of evidence-based practice. Key barriers to implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) among nurses, including lack of confidence in judging research quality (Mean: 2.8), uncertainty about applying research to practice (Mean: 2.8), insufficient time (Mean: 2.8), heavy workload (Mean: 2.8), and lack of workplace authority (Mean: 2.8). Female: (p=0.071, OR = 5.813, 95% CI=2.117−2.254), 31-40 years: (p=0.829, OR=7.289 95% CI=0.118−2.230), 11-15 years of experience (p=0.120 [OR] = 4.812, 95%[CI] = 2.392-12.392), Principal Nursing Officer (p=0.219 [OR] = 6.89, 95%[CI] = 0.041-5.172, more likely to utilize evidence-based nursing practice compared to other categories of nurses. Conclusion: Utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) remains low, primarily due to barriers such as time constraints, heavy workloads, and a lack of confidence. Despite these challenges, nurses exhibit a positive attitude toward EBP. Enhancing education, strengthening leadership support, and providing adequate resources are essential strategies for improving the integration of EBP into clinical practice.