Table 6 Reasons for planning CBE or non-compliance and CBE practice

Reasons participants planned CBE (n = 525)

For her own health

χ2(1, N = 525) = 4.74, p = 0.030*

No

2 (14.3)

12 (85.7)

Yes

222 (43.4)

289 (56.6)

Fear of getting cancer as a reason for CBE

χ2(1, N = 525) = 2.57, p = 0.109

No

46 (36.5)

80 (63.5)

Yes

178 (44.6)

221 (55.4)

Reasons participants did NOT plan CBE (n = 538)

Might be painful or uncomfortable

χ2(1, N = 538) = 11.03, p = 0.001*

No

100 (23.1)

333 (76.9)

Yes

9 (8.6)

96 (91.4)

Fear of knowing you might have cancer

χ2(1, N = 538) = 8.39, p = 0.004*

No

101 (22.5)

348 (77.5)

Yes

8 (9.0)

81 (91.0)

Embarrassment

χ2(1, N = 538) = 19.22, p < 0.001*

No

100 (24.6)

307 (75.4)

Yes

9 (6.9)

122 (93.1)

It won’t do her any good

χ2(1, N = 538) = 2.51, p = 0.113

No

102 (21.2)

379 (78.8)

Yes

7 (12.3)

50 (87.7)

Because a male will examine her breasts

χ2(1, N = 538) = 3.25, p = 0.071

No

105 (21.2)

391 (78.8)

Yes

4 (9.5)

38 (90.5)

Husband or male relatives not supportive

χ2(1, N = 538) = 0.47, p = 0.491

No

108 (20.4)

421 (79.6)

Yes

1 (11.1)

8 (88.9)