ABSTRACT
Background: Healthcare and clinical laboratory practices are constantly evolving, leading a need for evidence-based practice (EBP) among all laboratory professionals. However, EBP among laboratory professionals has not yet been studied in Ethiopia.
Aims: This study aimed to determine EBP and associated factors among medical laboratory professionals in West Amhara hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An analytic and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in West Amhara hospitals from February to March 2014. Data were collected using a pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with evidence-based laboratory practice. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed and the level of significance determined.
Results: A total of 169 respondents completed the questionnaire (response rate 95.4%), 40.8% (n = 69) of whom had a good level of EBP. Knowledge about EBP [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.10-4.49], internet access (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.12-5.29), adoption EBP (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.41-5.52) and being single in marital status (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.08-4.51) were factors associated with EBP in multivariable logistic regression after controlling the effects of the confounding variables.
Conclusion: EBP among laboratory professionals was found to be low. Having good knowledge towards EBP, organizational adoption of EBP, having internet access in their organization and being single in marital status were factors associated with EBP.