ANKMJ
Ankyra Medical Journal

Ankyra Medical Journal (AnkMJ), formerly known as the Journal of Translational and Practical Medicine, regularly publishes international quality issues in the field of Medicine in the light of current information.

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Original Article
Assessment of knowledge and awareness levels of healthcare professionals involved in newborn heel prick screening
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge levels of healthcare workers involved in newborn heel prick screening regarding the screening process, sample collection steps, and the diseases screened for.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 healthcare workers employed at Family Health Centres in Malatya province between 07.11.2024 and 07.02.2025. Data were collected using a 35 item structured questionnaire covering the newborn screening process, heel prick blood sample collection steps, and the clinical characteristics and treatment approaches of the screened diseases. The data were collected using a 35 question structured questionnaire form covering the newborn screening process the steps involved in collecting heel blood samples and the clinical.
Results: 75.7% of participants were physicians, 12.9% were nurses, and 11.4% were midwives. The level of knowledge regarding the heel prick blood collection process was generally found to be high. A significant difference was found in the level of knowledge regarding the practice among the professional groups, with midwives and nurses being more successful than physicians (p=0.021). The level of knowledge regarding the screened diseases was found to be higher among physicians (p=0.003). However, general knowledge about rare diseases such as biotinidase deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy was found to be low.
Conclusion: In this study, while the level of knowledge regarding the steps of heel prick blood collection was found to be adequate knowledge gaps were identified regarding the clinical characteristics and management of the screened diseases. It is recommended that up to date, disease-focused and profession-specific training programmes for healthcare professionals be promoted.

Keywords : Newborn screening, heel prick blood, congenital metabolic disorders, healthcare professionals

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Article available in :
Volume 5, Issue 3, 2026
Page : 69-73
https://doi.org/10.51271/ANKMJ-0070
Article Information
Received : 30 Oca 2026
Accepted : 23 Mar 2026
Published : 07 Tem 2026
Corresponding Author :

Mehmet Emin Beytekin: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University, Malatya, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Beytekin ME, Kayhan Tetik B, Yıldız Beytekin H, Yıldız Ş, Uzun E. Assessment of knowledge and awareness levels of healthcare professionals involved in newborn heel prick screening. Ank Med J. 2026;5(3):69-73. doi:10.51271/ANKMJ-0070

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