Background: Breast cancer remains one of the deadliest non-communicable
diseases in the world. In Ethiopia, breast cancer accounts for 33.4% of
total cancer diagnosis in women. Objective: This study aims to explore
perception about breast screening behavior among reproductive age
women. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted as a baseline to
identify gaps to design interventions that will enhance breast
screening uptake among reproductive age women. Six focus group
discussions and 9 in-depth interviews were conducted with women and
health workers respectively. Semi-structured questions were used. Data
analysis was analyzed by Atlas.ti. 7 and the ideas were put in direct
quotation and narration. Results: Lack of awareness is the preceding
problem for self-susceptibility to breast cancer as well as for having
breast screening. Majority of women thought that the cause of breast
cancer was a sin (supernatural power). Self-efficacy and cues to action
were the most important correlates of the perception owing to fear of
socio-cultural stigma and discrimination. Conclusion: All health belief
model constructs identified a critical problem for adaptation of
behavior. Therefore, this gives the opportunity to design and develop
community-based intervention and explore new intervention mechanism
with an accurate method