{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.016293279022403257, 'fraction_numerical': 0.004073319755600814, 'mean_word_length': 5.25796178343949, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Barriers to Clinical Breast Examination amongst Women of Low Socio-Economic Group in Mumbai

Background: Literature review shows barriers to clinical breast examination is primarily due to lack of knowledge and non-availability of services. Breast cancer awareness and screening programme implemented in the low socio-economic group in the city of Mumbai, focussed on raising awareness levels and motivating women for clinical breast examination. The participation rate for clinical breast examination despite providing information and services was only 40-50%. The aim of the study is to understand the barriers to undergo clinical breast examination and seek suggestions for increasing their participation. 
 
Methods: A qualitative research study design using indepth interview technique was conducted in women residing in low socio-economic area in city of Mumbai. Thirty four women, selected using purposive sampling technique, were interviewed in community setting using a semi-structured indepth interview tool. Women between 40-69 years who had received health education but had not undergone clinical breast examination constituted the study sample. Results of the study are presented by coding of the responses of the participants into broad thematic area. 
 
Results: The major barriers to clinical breast examination were social reasons that included the womens priority to household chores, lack of support from family members, stress caused due to relationship problems etc., Emotional disturbances due to family stress was attributed as a reason for not remembering the contents of health talk on breast cancer. Misconceptions despite health education sessions by the health workers prevailed. 
 
Conclusions: Giving information may not be sufficient to change health seeking behaviour. There is a need to sensitise women to accord priority to their own health and teach them to deal with emotional stress and find ways to overcome social barriers.