Ethics examines the principles that distinguish right from wrong in human conduct, and in healthcare, ethical practice is a core part of daily professional activities. Ensuring consistent and standardized ethical behavior among healthcare workers is essential. This study aimed to investigate the adherence to the code of ethics and the factors influencing it among health professionals in public hospitals of Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2021. A cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods design was carried out among 631 health professionals from public hospitals in Central Gondar Zone. Quantitative data were collected via pre-tested self-administered questionnaires, and qualitative insights were obtained through key informant interviews using a semi-structured guide. Variables with a p-value <0.2 in binary logistic regression were further analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, with p-value <0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) used to determine significance. Thematic content analysis was applied to qualitative data. Findings showed that only 286 (46.7 percent) of participants demonstrated satisfactory adherence to the code of ethics. Factors positively associated with ethical practice included strong ethical knowledge (AOR = 1.95, 95 percent CI: 1.37–2.77), a supportive attitude toward ethical standards (AOR = 1.55, 95 percent CI: 1.11–2.16), and higher job satisfaction (AOR = 1.45, 95 percent CI: 1.04–2.04). The practice of healthcare ethics among professionals in Central Gondar Zone public hospitals was generally inadequate. Enhancing ethical practice will require hands-on training, consistent supervision, access to necessary medical tools, a conducive work environment, and improvements in professional recognition mechanisms.
