Investigation of Knowledge Levels of Neonatal Screening Programs in Medical Faculty Staff

INTRODUCTION: Newborn screening tests are an important preventive public health program that provides early detection of the treatable diseases of infants. This study was carried out to investigate the knowledge levels of health workers and administrative personnel on neonatal screening programs.
METHODS: Our research is a descriptive study. The sample wasn’t selected and a questionnaire was conducted to 365 people in a period of approximately 2 months. The questionnaire used in the research consists of 20 questions prepared by searching the literature to measure the information participants’ about neonatal screening programs.
RESULTS: 89.04% and 10.95% of the employees participating in our study are health personnel and administrative personnel, respectively. 69% of the participants were female, and the average age was 33,13. 66% of the participants in the study had service years of 10 years or less while 44% had service years of 11 years and longer. The largest group of the participants in the study is research assistants (28.4%) and the second largest group is nurses (22.1%). The total of General Administrative services, technical services and auxiliary services is 10,94%. It was seen that 98.4% of the participants were aware of the newborn screening tests.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it is pleasing that both physicians and assistant health personnel have high knowledge about subjects and applications related to newborn screening tests. However, it is noteworthy that some of the non-health staff members have inaccurate knowledge and thoughts about some applications related to newborn screening tests.