Knowledge Sharing Practice and Its Associated Factors Among Healthcare Providers at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopian: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background In healthcare, information and knowledge needs of health care providers arise in the patient care process. However, the right information and knowledge at the right time and place to the right person is not reached so far yet. Thus, leads limited knowledge sharing practice among health providers in Ethiopia. Objectives The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge sharing practice and associated factors among healthcare providers at University of Gondar hospital. Methods Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted through stratified simple random sampling technique among 423 samples from February 24 up to March 27, 2020. Pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used. Epi info version 7 and stata version 15 software were used for data entry, processing and analysis respectively. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression model were applied to describe the study objects and to assess knowledge sharing practice and its associated factors by considering P value ≤ 0.05. Results 423 respondents were participated with 100% response rate. From the total respondents, 222 of 423 (52.48%) of respondents were male. More than two third (66.90%) of respondents were degree and diploma holders. Nearly three fourth of 423 (74.70%) healthcare providers were under the age group of 21–30 years. The level of knowledge sharing practice among the respondents was 65.01% (95% CI: 60.46–69.56). In multivariable logistic regression model awareness AOR = 2.44, 95% CI= [1.32–4.50], willingness AOR = 1.96, 95% CI= [1.10–3.53], loss of knowledge power AOR = 0.192, 95% CI= [.12-.32], availability of health information resource AOR = 2.00, 95% CI= [1.56–5.38] and opportunity AOR = 2.91, 95% CI= [1.71–4.95] were significantly associated with knowledge sharing practice. Conclusions Knowledge sharing practice of healthcare providers is higher as compared with most studies conducted in Ethiopia. However, it needs further opportunity, resource allocation and supportive leadership.