Conduct and utilization of research among nurses at federal capital territory, Abuja Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The need to support nursing practice with evidence and the demand for quality care have implications for conduct of research by nurses for nursing. Research findings are required to determine or establish evidence for practice. This study assessed how nurses conduct and utilize research.

Methods: A cross sectional survey design was utilized to explore registered nurses’ conduct and utilization of research. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 325 nurses from various health care institutions in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria. Data were analyzed using frequency and cross tabulations.

Results: Only 21.2% had conducted research based on their clinical experience while just 4.4% had published in peer reviewed journals and 31.4% had utilized research findings in clinical practice. Few of the respondents, 19.2%, considered time related issues as the leading barrier; while the leading factors that facilitated research were “financial support, motivation and incentive”. Most (74.1%) of the respondents conducted research only to fulfill certificate or degree requirements. Less than half (41.2%) believed that they possessed the skill to conduct a good literature search.

Conclusions: Conduct and utilization of research was very poor within the study population. Only few of the research conducted were also published in peer reviewed journals. It is recommended that identified barriers should be addressed to improve conduct and utilization of research.