Assessment of Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practice Among Optometrists in Kaduna State

Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide professional decision-making. The extent to which Nigerian optometrists adopt EBP in their daily clinical practice is not well understood. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and use of evidence-based practice among optometrists in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey will be conducted among 90 registered optometrists practicing in Kaduna using the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire adapted for optometry. Domains assessed will include knowledge of research methodology, access to academic literature, frequency of guideline use, and barriers to EBP adoption. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The study anticipates that while most participants will express positive attitudes toward EBP, knowledge scores and actual guideline use will be low, with limited access to electronic databases and peer-reviewed journals identified as major barriers. Findings will be submitted to the Nigerian Optometric Association's North West chapter and the Kaduna State optometry training institutions to guide curriculum development and CPD programming. This research contributes to the professional development literature for Nigerian optometrists in the North West zone and provides a baseline for monitoring EBP adoption over time in the Kaduna optometry community. Keywords: evidence-based practice, optometrists, Kaduna State, clinical knowledge, professional development