Factors associated with beliefs and implementation of evidence-based practice among nurses: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is vital for improving patient outcomes and healthcare quality. However, its integration remains limited in many settings, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess EBP beliefs and implementation among nurses in India and identify associated sociodemographic factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, a tertiary care hospital in Northern India, with 220 nurses completing validated scales measuring EBP beliefs and implementation. The inclusion criteria were nurses working in intensive care units or wards who met the shift requirements and volunteered to participate. Data were collected using self-administered, paper-based questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, correlation analysis, analysis of variance, and multiple regression were used to analyze data.

Results: Cluster analysis revealed that 46.8% (103/220) of nurses had poor EBP beliefs, and 37.7% (83/220) demonstrated good implementation. Factors positively correlated with implementation were resource beliefs (r = 0.155, p = 0.021), EBP value beliefs (r = 0.140, p = 0.038), and difficulty/time beliefs (r = 0.158, p = 0.019). Nurses with > 5 years' experience scored significantly higher on both beliefs (56.27 ± 16.98) and implementation (51.01 ± 12.65) than less experienced nurses (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified professional experience as a significant predictor of EBP beliefs (β = 0.174, p = 0.023) and implementation (β = 0.262, p = 0.001), after adjusting for other factors. Other sociodemographic variables, including sex, marital status, education, and designation, were not significantly associated with EBP beliefs and implementation.

Conclusions: Despite good levels of EBP implementation, nearly half of the nurses exhibited poor beliefs about EBP. Professional experience was the strongest predictor of both EBP belief and implementation. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions, such as structured mentorship, continuing education, and hands-on training, to support less-experienced nurses in adopting EBP. Strengthening these competencies may enhance clinical decision-making and ultimately improve patient care.