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Date of this Version

2015

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to find out the information literacy competence of professional nurses in the Ho Municipality of Ghana in their pursuit of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).

Design/methodology/approach: This study used the descriptive research strategy to describe the experience of information literacy among professional nurses in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. It used the purposive sampling method to select the various health facilities and the professional nurses. A total of 138 questionnaires out of 151 questionnaires that were administered were retrieved. The responses were presented and analysed based on the objectives of the study.

Findings: The study discovered that nurses perceive EBP as good; and are privy to various information sources and resources but have some limitations that hinder the efficient and effective adoption of EBP in their profession.

Research limitations/implications: Time constraints could not allow the researcher to cover all the professional nurses in the Municipality.

Practical implications: The study recommends the introduction of information literacy course in the curriculum of the various nursing colleges/schools; the establishment of resourced libraries and information centres in the major health facilities; organisation of workshops on information literacy and EBP for practising nurses; subscription of medical databases by the major health facilities; and the encouragement of nurses to develop the culture of reading.

Originality/value: This paper justifies a recognized need to study the information literacy competence of nurses in their pursuit of EBP.

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