Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Women Receiving Substance Use Disorder Treatment [27B]. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keiser, Victoria; Parlier-Ahmad, Anna Beth; Martin, Caitlin E.
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 135(2020)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000663188.10520.a5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: Recent research has highlighted the high unmet menstrual hygiene product needs among low income women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the menstrual hygiene needs of women receiving treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). METHODS: Patients were recruited from an urban, outpatient SUD clinic to complete a voluntary, electronic, cross-sectional survey between July and September 2019. Menstrual hygiene questions were modeled from prior work (Kuhlmann et al., Obstetrics and Gynecology, February 2019) with author permission. Women were classified as having menstrual poverty if they reported needing menstrual hygiene products but not having the money to buy them in the past 12 months. Factors associated with menstrual poverty were assessed using χ 2 tests. Exempted by VCU IRB. RESULTS: Eighty-six (94.5% response rate) women completed the survey, of whom 36 (41.9%) had a period in the past 12 months and were included in the study. Almost all (94.4%) were in treatment for opioid use disorder. Mean age was 34.69 (SD 7.433) years. Women were predominantly African American (50%), educated at a high school level (55.6%), unemployed (55.6%), and receiving public assistance (66.7%). Most (n=29; 80.6%) reported menstrual poverty. Menstrual poverty was not associated with heavy menstrual bleeding but was associated with food insecurity ( P =.005). Many (n=23; 63.9%) stated they would like to receive hygiene products at the addiction clinic. CONCLUSION: Menstrual hygiene products are a necessity that women receiving addiction treatment lack. In the opioid crisis, providers should be aware of this disparity. Integration of reproductive/sexual health with addiction services should be prioritized.