A Multicountry Study on Nursing Students' Self-Perceived Competence and Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Global Health
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Nursing education is crucial for developing evidence-based practice (EBP) competence.
• Limited cross-cultural research exists on EBP among nursing students globally.
• Cross-cultural studies offer valuable insights for advancing EBP knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare self-perceived EBP competence in nursing students from India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Oman.
• To identify perceived barriers to EBP adoption among these nursing students.
• To provide a global perspective on EBP in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative survey was conducted.
• 1,383 nursing students from India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Oman participated.
• Data were collected using the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBP-COQ) and the BARRIERS scale.

Main Results:

• Significant cross-country differences were found in EBP competence, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
• Nursing students' gender, institution type, and student type were associated with EBP competence.
• Major barriers included lack of authority to change policies, slow evidence publication, and limited clinical time.

Conclusions:

• Both academic institutions and hospital administrations are vital for enhancing EBP competence in nursing students.
• Addressing identified barriers can facilitate EBP integration into nursing practice.
• Further cross-cultural research is recommended to understand global EBP trends.