Practice of Informed Consent and Associated Factors Influencing its Application in Emergency Department Among, Residents and Nurse
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Date
2025
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Addis Ababa Universtity
Abstract
Informed consent is a basic principle for the ethical and legal conduct of healthcare that
protects the autonomy of the patient. At present, its practice in the emergency departments (EDs) is
hindered by time pressure, lack of patient education, patient ignorance, and emotional distress, notably in
low middle income states, such as Ethiopia.
Objective: The study aims to is to assess informed consent practice and associated factors influencing its
application in emergency departments among residents and nurses of selected governmental hospitals in
Addis Ababa
Methods: A cross-sectional institutional study was conducted on nurses and residents from three tertiary
hospitals, namely Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Saint Paul’s Hospital Millenium Medical
College (SPHMMC) and Yekatit 12 Medical College. Data were collected on self-administered Google
Form, and analyzed using SPSS 27. For multivariate analysis, variables with binary logistic regression (p <
0.25) were used, accounting for potentially confounding factors.
Results: Among 157 residents and nurses, 144 were included in this study and 51.8% have good
informed consent practice. Residents and nurses with good knowledge about informed consent [AOR: 7.17
(95%CI: 2.267-22.682)], regular supervision from administration [AOR: 4.72 (95%CI: 1.706-13.06)],
consideration of patients' cultural norms [AOR: 2.911 (95% CI: 1.024-8.278)] and patients’ incapacity to
make decisions [AOR: 0.242 (95% CI: 0.089-0.657)] were significantly associated with informed consent
practices.
Conclusion: Good informed consent, driven by professional knowledge, administrative oversight, and
cultural norms yet challenged by patients’ incapacity to make decisions, can be enhanced through
continuous education, robust administrative support, cultural competency training, and clear protocols.
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Keywords
Informed Consent, Knowledge, Attitude