Turkish men’s experiences of positive SMA carrier results: a qualitative study within a gendered screening framework

Findings highlight the psychosocial burden placed on male carriers and point to gaps in counselling and follow-up care. Integrating accessible, culturally sensitive, and gender-aware genetic counselling-through tele-genetics, community outreach, and primary-care training-could mitigate distress and support informed reproductive choices. Addressing these needs would strengthen the ethical and practical impact of Türkiye's SMA screening program and offer guidance for similar initiatives elsewhere.