Examination of the multidimensional trust in the healthcare system, health literacy, and related factors among applicants to training and research family health centers in Selçuklu district regarding newborn screenings

Introduction: Trust in the healthcare system and health literacy are among the key factors influencing participation in newborn screenings, which are of critical importance for public health. This study aims to examine the relationship between the level of trust in the healthcare system and health literacy among individuals applying to Training and Research Family Health Centers in Selçuklu District of Konya Province regarding newborn screenings, as well as to identify the sociodemographic factors affecting health literacy by addressing different dimensions of trust in the healthcare system. Materials and Methods: A total of 315 volunteers who provided verbal consent were included in the study. The research was conducted in two training and research family health centers (ASM No. 17 and ASM No. 28) located in Selçuklu District of Konya, with parents of children under the age of one who visited the centers for any reason between February and April 2025. The data collection tools included a sociodemographic data form, the Multidimensional Trust in the Healthcare System Scale, and the Turkey Health Literacy Scale (TSOY-32). Results: The participants ranged in age from 19 to 55 years, with a mean age of 32.7 years. Of the participants, 59.4% (n=187) were women and 40.6% (n=128) were men. The mean total score on the Multidimensional Trust in the Healthcare System Scale was 56.9±9.9 (median=58.0). The mean total score on the TSOY-32 Health Literacy Scale was 31.0±9.5 (median=30.7). Logistic regression analysis of responses to the question "How should newborn screenings be conducted?" revealed a statistically significant relationship between responses and both monthly income and health literacy. Conclusion: The study found that participants' trust in the healthcare system was at a moderate level, with women, single individuals, and those with higher income demonstrating higher trust. The majority of participants had inadequate-limited health literacy, which was positively associated with education, income, and having a parent with healthcare experience. In newborn screening preferences, monthly income and health literacy emerged as determining factors; while low health literacy increased the tendency to prefer optional screenings, higher trust and income strengthened the view that screenings should be mandatory. Keywords: Newborn screenings, trust in the healthcare system, health literacy, parents of children under one year old