The Level of Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Family Physicians About Newborn Follow-Up and Screening: Ankara Provincial Example

Abstract

Background: Family medicine is a discipline that prioritizes the patient-physician relationship, particularly focusing on preventive and developmental health services. In family medicine, the comprehensive pediatric care includes monitoring growth and development from birth, assessing health status, and providing preventive healthcare elements such as vaccinations and health education.

Objective: Our study aims to assess the knowledge levels, attitudes, and awareness of family physicians regarding newborn screening and monitoring.

Method: For this study, a survey prepared by the researcher was utilized to ascertain the socio-demographic characteristics of family physicians and their knowledge, attitudes, and awareness regarding newborn period monitoring and screenings.

Results: Out of the 318 family physicians included in our study, it was found that 99.4% performed weight measurement, 97.5% performed head circumference measurement, 97.5% assessed fontanels, 83.6% conducted height measurement, 83.3% evaluated newborn reflexes, 76.7% performed genital examination, 65.4% conducted eye examination, 48.4% performed hip examination, and 29.8% conducted hearing examination on newborns. Additionally, 58.2% of them performed red reflex testing in routine neonatal eye screening, while 8.5% evaluated for congenital critical heart disease using pulse oximetry in newborns. In the statistical analyses, no significant relationship was found between newborn reflexes, eye examination, genital examination, hip examination, hearing examination, and scoliosis examination with the variables of age and years of professional experience. Family medicine specialists perform genital examinations and hearing examinations at a statistically significantly higher rate compared to general practitioners and contracted family medicine residents (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It is necessary to conduct educational interventions within the scope of professional development to enhance the knowledge levels and practices of family physicians regarding newborn screening and monitoring, as well as to increase their awareness on this matter.