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

ABSTRACT:

Background

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) carrier screening has been part of Türkiye's premarital and prenatal program since 2021, using a stepwise algorithm that first tests men. Little is known about how male carriers interpret a positive result-particularly when their partners test negative-within the country's sociocultural context. This study qualitatively explored Turkish men's emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal responses to a positive SMA carrier result to illuminate needs that current screening practices may overlook.

Methods

Eleven male participants who had received a positive SMA carrier result while their partners tested negative were recruited through purposive sampling from official health records in Erzincan Province. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-

SUBMITTER: Gursoy E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12548148 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature