Evaluation of the levels of knowledge and awareness of healthcare workers working in neonatal heel blood screening

Aim: Congenital Metabolic Diseases are a group of rare autosomal recessive diseases. In our country, heel blood is used to screen for Phenylketonuria, Biotinidase Deficiency, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Cystic Fibrosis, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This study was conducted to measure the knowledge and awareness levels of healthcare professionals who are responsible for newborn heel blood screening. Material and Method: The research was conducted between 07.11.2024-07.02.2025 in Malatya province with 202 healthcare professionals working in Family Health Centers and volunteering to participate in our study. The data obtained using a questionnaire prepared by the researcher in line with the literature was analyzed with the SPSS 22.0 program. Results: Of the participants, 75.7% were physicians, 12.9% were nurses, and 11.4% were midwives. 66.0% of the physicians were general practitioners and 34.0% were specialists. Of the family health workers, 22.4% had a health vocational high school, 20.4% had an associate degree, 48.9% had a bachelor's degree, and 8.1% had a master's degree. In our study, while the correct answer rates given to the questions about heel blood screening were high, it was observed that there was a lack of knowledge about the definitions and symptoms of diseases. It was found that physicians were more experienced in diseases, and midwives and nurses were more experienced in heel blood. Conclusion: It is important to determine the knowledge level of family physicians and family health workers about heel blood screenings and diseases and to organize training when necessary so that screenings can continue healthily. Keywords: Congenital Metabolic Disease, Heel Blood Screening, Newborn Health