Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38842090›Full record

ArticleWomen's health (London, England)

Enhancing client engagement and alleviating period product insecurity: A cross-sectional study of community-based period supply banks' distribution of free period products through intermediary partner agencies in the United States.

Kelley Ec Massengale, Lynn H Comer, Kelsey M Bowman, Susan Van Ness

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Women's health (London, England). The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Kelley Ec MassengaleNational Diaper Bank Network, New Haven, CT, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-2868-2472
Lynn H ComerNational Diaper Bank Network, New Haven, CT, USA.ORCID 0009-0003-2210-9808
Kelsey M BowmanSanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.ORCID 0009-0008-3687-5331
Susan Van NessNational Diaper Bank Network, New Haven, CT, USA.ORCID 0009-0007-1376-7891

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeriod products like pads, tampons, and a variety of disposable and reusable hygiene supplies constitute just one facet essential for effectively managing menstruation in a way that allows an individual to feel comfortable carrying out their daily routine. Given the absence of comprehensive public policies ensuring access to period products for economically disadvantaged menstruating individuals, community-based basic needs banks, particularly period supply banks, were established to alleviate the challenges faced by those experiencing period product insecurity. These initiatives specifically aim to furnish essential menstrual products to individuals in need.

objectivesThis study aimed to assess any organizational benefits experienced by community-based organizations distributing period products on behalf of period supply banks.

designThis cross-sectional study is a formative evaluation of the distribution of free period products by period supply banks, which provide access to essential menstrual hygiene products for individuals in need through partnership with community-based partner agencies.

methodsStaff members at agencies distributing period products were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey at two different time points about their agency's experiences distributing free period products. All participants provided informed consent via the web-based survey.

resultsAgency staff reported that since they started providing period products, clients were more likely to: start a conversation about other needs (66.7%), extend the length of their relationship with the agency (60.0%), keep scheduled appointments (62.1%), ask for assistance with another need (75.0%), communicate between visits (42.4%), participate in other agency programming (55.9%), and seek other agency services (73.5%). Due to a shortage of period products, 41% of agencies have had to turn away clients needing period supplies.

conclusionPeriod supply banks, in collaboration with community-based partner agencies, enhance access to both menstrual products and the associated support, fostering engagement with diverse resources and opportunities among recipients. However, addressing unmet needs necessitates policies and additional funding to ensure universal access to essential hygiene supplies for everyone to thrive and actively participate in society.

Indexed as

Menstrual Hygiene ProductsAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMenstruationSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited Statesbasic needs banksmenstrual equitymenstruation managementperiod product insecurityperiod supply banks

Identifiers

PMID38842090
PMCPMC11160112

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.