Determining the knowledge levels of family health workers on infant, child, and adolescent monitoring in the province of Rize

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the knowledge levels of family health workers in Rize regarding infant, child, and adolescent monitoring, and to evaluate the sociodemographic and professional factors affecting these knowledge levels. Family health workers play a critical role in the implementation of preventive health services and in the protection of community health within primary healthcare settings. Therefore, their level of knowledge directly affects the quality of services and the effectiveness of monitoring practices. Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in family health centers in Rize in 2025. The study population consisted of all actively working family health workers in the province, and the sample included 102 nurses and midwives who agreed to participate. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher based on a literature review and the Ministry of Health's Infant, Child, and Adolescent Monitoring Protocols. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first part included sociodemographic and professional characteristics (age, gender, title, education, years of service, workplace, and in-service training status), while the second part included 30 multiple-choice questions assessing knowledge related to infant, child, and adolescent monitoring. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, employing descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square tests. A significance level of p<0.05 was adopted. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.8±6.4 years, and 86.3% were female. Of the participants, 74.5% were nurses and 25.5% were midwives, while 58% had 10 or more years of professional experience. A total of 78% reported using guidelines or algorithms during monitoring, and 63% stated that they had received in-service training on the subject. The mean knowledge score of those who used guidelines or algorithms (X̄=24.3±3.2) was significantly higher than that of those who did not (p<0.05). The analysis by age groups indicated that participants under 40 years of age had higher knowledge levels (p=0.021). No significant differences were found between knowledge level and variables such as education level, marital status, or years of professional experience. The most pronounced knowledge gaps were identified in developmental dysplasia of the hip screening, oral health monitoring, hyperlipidemia screening, and adolescent monitoring. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that family health workers in Rize generally possess adequate knowledge regarding infant and child monitoring; however, their knowledge levels concerning adolescent monitoring and developmental screenings are insufficient. These findings highlight the need for periodic updates of in-service training programs, reinforcement of practice-based education, and the standardization of guideline-based monitoring practices in family health centers. Such improvements are expected to enhance monitoring quality and contribute significantly to the protection of infant, child, and adolescent health. Keywords: Family health worker, infant monitoring, child monitoring, adolescent monitoring, knowledge level, primary healthcare