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Menstrual Equity: A Survey Study with ZIP-Code Level Analysis
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Menstrual Equity: A Survey Study with ZIP-Code Level Analysis

Rosalie Mattiola, Susan E Hansen, Shae Duka, Amanda Hoyer, Belle P Marks, Crystal Perez, Nicole M Burgess and Ashwini Kamath Mulki
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, v 38(5), pp 781-790
01 Sep 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2025.250089R1
PMID: 41494956
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2025.250089R1View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Adolescent Adult Cross-Sectional Studies Female Health Equity - statistics & numerical data Humans Menstruation - psychology Middle Aged Pennsylvania - epidemiology Poverty - statistics & numerical data Retrospective Studies Surveys and Questionnaires Urban Population - statistics & numerical data Young Adult
This cross-sectional retrospective survey study modeled on previous research explored the prevalence of period poverty in 1 urban setting to inform future targeted interventions toward improving menstrual equity. An 8-item questionnaire was developed by a menstrual health equity work group led by the Allentown Health Bureau, Pennsylvania. Data collection occurred for 1.5 years, using an anonymous online survey tool and convenience sampling. Study participants were recruited with an informational flier (with QR code and web address pointing to the questionnaire) posted in various public locations. A total of 353 people who menstruate, aged 13 to 54, representing 5 of Allentown's 7 ZIP code regions responded. The majority were impacted by period poverty, either by missing a life event (77.9%) or engaging in an at-risk menstrual hygiene behavior (79.0%). Most (91.5%) had been educated in menstrual health. Doctor's offices (40.3%) and social media (27.8%) were the most frequently cited sources for learning about the survey. ZIP codes were significantly associated with engaging in at-risk behaviors (  < .001), missing a life event (  < .001), no menstrual health education (  = .03), and preference for period underwear (  = .04). Age was significantly associated with preferring pads (  = .007) and tampons (  = .03). Period poverty was found to impact a substantial number of people in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Interventions will need to be tailored to ZIP code and age-group. Future study should aim for a larger sample size and additional questions, about menstrual education.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

Source: SDGs in the Output

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Primary Health Care
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