Examining Menstrual Health and Hygiene Educational Initiatives for American Middle and High School Menstruating Students: A Scoping Review

Abstract

According to the American Medical Women's Association, period poverty refers to “inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management.” A component of period poverty in the US can be attributed to the neglect of menstrual education and lack of menstrual health and hygiene tools in schools. This scoping review aims to examine the educational methods employed to improve menstrual knowledge in middle and high school menstruating students in both school and clinical settings. It also highlights gaps and barriers in equitable access to menstrual hygiene products. The five-stage framework by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and the updated Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guide were used to guide the review. Six studies were retained for analysis. Two-thirds of menstruating students reported using at least one of the school's resources to obtain period products, and one-third of the participants reported missing school due to a lack of period products. Nearly half of the students needed period products at least once in the past school year but lacked the financial resources to purchase such products. Menstruating students reported embarrassment and a need for secrecy when accessing school bathrooms since the social and physical environments of school bathrooms heightened their discomfort while menstruating. Although a majority of adolescent students had basic knowledge of menstrual periods prior to menarche, the depth of their understanding of menstruation was limited. Findings from this review can inform the future development of evidence-based educational interventions to improve the overall menstruation experience for US menstruating adolescents.