Autonomy of Nurses in Their Work and Associated Factors in Nurses of Selected Public Hospitals of Wollega Zones, Oromia Regional State, Western Parts of Ethiopia, 2020

Abstract

Background:

Nursing clinical autonomy is a decision made by the nurse about individual patient care independently. The development of the nursing profession needs an increment in nurses’ autonomy in their work. Knowing the status of nursing autonomy and factors associated with it is recommended for developing nurses’ profession. The aim of this study was to getthe status of nursing autonomy and associated factors.

Methods:

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in selected public hospitals. For data entry, Epi Data version 3 was used and data was exported to Stata SE version 14 for analysis. To find the associated variables with the autonomy of nurses, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression methods were used. For this analysis, variables with a P-value of ≤0.25 were candidates for multiple logistic regressions. To get the final variables, backward logistic regression model was used. Variables with a P-value of ≤0.05 were considered as associated factors for the level of autonomy of nurses and the final finding was presented with a description, graph, and tables.

Results:

In this study, 349 nurses were involved in the study, and all have been participated and yielded a response rate of 100%. Greater than half of nurses were male 188 (53.87%). More proportion of the nurses have a working experience of less than six years (214 (61.32%)). Again, more proportion of nurses have not engaged in training focusing on the nursing profession (208 (59.60%)). Greater than half of the nurses in this study have a poor level of autonomy regarding their work in the field of nursing profession (188 (53.87%)). Factors contributing to a low level of autonomy among nurses are being older AOR= 0.58 (95% CI 0.35, 0.98) and not participate in a member of nurses’ association AOR =0.29 (95% CI 0.14, 0.61). Again, the finding showed that nurses who wish to stay in the nursing profession have a high level of nursing autonomy AOR=1.82, (95% CI 1.09, 3.02).

Conclusion and Recommendation:

Nurses’ autonomy regarding their work is very low in the study area. Being relatively older, not participating in any nursing association, and having the intent to stay in the nursing profession are factors that affect nursing autonomy in their work. These contributing factors have to be identified and improved by concerned stakeholders in the health care system to improve nurses’ autonomy in their works.

Keywords:

• autonomy
• nursing
• profession
• Ethiopia

Abbreviations

AOR, adjusted odds ratio, COR, crude odds ratio; OPD, outpatient departments.

Data Sharing Statement

The source of the data is present at corresponding author upon reasonable requested by concerned individuals.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical review committee of Wollega University, Institute of Health Sciences. Formal letter that explains the objectives, rationale and expected outcomes of the study was explained for study area. Then, informed consent was obtained from the hospitals to allow the study in their hospital. Again written informed consent was obtained from all participated nurses and confidentiality of the information was maintained by omitting the names and personal identification. The anonymity and confidentiality of the responses was protected. The question was asked after the nurses’ voluntary have been obtained. This research manuscript fulfilled the criteria of Declaration of Helsinki.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Wollega University for its support in conducting this research by many directions

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.