Table 3.
Distribution of time BSE practiced, and the reasons given to perform or not perform BSE among women in Wolaita Sodo, 2019 (n = 626)
| Variable/characteristics | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Appropriate time of BSE | |
| Few days after menses | 97 (45) |
| Few days before menses | 13 (6) |
| No specific time | 107 (49) |
| Frequency of BSE practices | |
| Twice per month | 48 (22.2) |
| Once every month | 98 (45) |
| Once every 6 month | 2 (0.9) |
| Once per year | 4 (1.9) |
| Any time I observe a change | 65 (30) |
| Advantage of regular breast self-examination | |
| Detect any abnormality | 72 (33) |
| Learn how the breast normally looks and feels | 56 (26) |
| Detect breast cancer earlier and promote treatment | 89 (41) |
| Reasons for performing BSE | |
| Fear of breast cancer | 51(23.5) |
| Early detection of breast cancer | 128 (59) |
| Breast cancer in the family/friends | 13 (6) |
| Previous breast problems | 3 (1.4) |
| Heard from media | 22 (10) |
| Barriers to BSE | |
| I don’t have enough privacy for BSE practice | 14 (6.4) |
| Pressure of work/I am too busy | 30 (13.8) |
| Doubts about its effectiveness | 11 (5) |
| Absence of symptoms/disease | 13 (6) |
| I am scared of being diagnosed with breast cancer | 7 (3.4) |
| Forgetfulness | 10 (4.6) |
| I know I can never have breast cancer | 13 (6) |
| No obstacle (barriers) | 119 (54.8) |