Barriers and challenges towards practicing of regular breast self-examination among women aged (15-49) years in Ndejje village, Luweero district Uganda. A cross sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v3i3.22Keywords:
Women aged 15-49 years, Ndejje village, Luweero district, Uganda, Barriers and challenges towards practicing regular breast self-examinationAbstract
Background:
Breast cancer is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide, and early detection through regular breast self-examination (BSE) plays a crucial role in improving survival rates. This study determined the barriers and challenges towards practicing regular breast self-examination among women aged 15-49 years in Ndejje village, Luweero district, Uganda.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed, and it used quantitative methods of data collections. This enabled the researcher to collect data from a large number of participants within a short period of time, with a study sample of 80 participants.
Results:
Majority 32 (40%) of the participants were Anglicans, (65%) of the study were married, 65 (81.25%) agreed that they were comfortable with discussing breast health and BSE with health workers, 47(58.75%) of the participants agreed to having had cultural/societal beliefs or taboos that influence performance of BSE and these included; BSE doesn’t respect privacy, the examination may lead to breast cancer detection, taboo in some cultures to touch and discuss one’s breasts, 16 (20%) reported fear to detect a breast cancer while, the majority 52 (65%) reported no skill to perform BSE, the least 12(15%) said they had no time to perform BSE.
Conclusion:
The established barriers were fear of detecting breast cancer, lack of skills to perform BSE, no time to perform BSE, and the influence of cultural/ societal beliefs on performing BSE.
Recommendation:
The community should partner with NGOs that support women’s health to ease funding and support for the performance and practice of breast health.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Priscilla Abbo, Jimmy Okwany, Francis semuwemba , Jane Frank Nalubega
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