Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40448085›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Supporting menstrual health in homeless services: provider-informed strategies for multilevel change.

Emma Schnolis, Sofia Hrubiak, Anukriti Arora, Kinzie Gamaleldin, Rebecca Martinez, Risa Cromer, Yumary Ruiz, Natalia M Rodriguez, Andrea L DeMaria

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Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Emma SchnolisDepartment of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, 812 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Sofia HrubiakSchool of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Anukriti AroraDepartment of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, 812 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Kinzie GamaleldinDepartment of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Rebecca MartinezDepartment of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Risa CromerDepartment of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Yumary RuizDepartment of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, 812 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Natalia M RodriguezDepartment of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, 812 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA. natalia@purdue.edu.
Andrea L DeMariaDepartment of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, 812 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeople experiencing homelessness (PEH) face heightened barriers to menstrual health, including limited access to products, hygiene facilities, and consistent care. Social service providers (SSPs) and healthcare providers (HCPs) are critical in supporting PEH but often work within resource-constrained systems. This study explores SSP and HCP perspectives on the menstrual health needs of PEH in a rural-serving community in the U.S., using the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) to identify multilevel barriers and opportunities for intervention.

methodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 SSPs and HCPs in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key challenges and recommendations related to menstrual health support for PEH.

resultsOur analysis revealed complex challenges providers faced in supporting the menstrual health of PEH, including emotional burden, resource scarcity, and limited organizational guidance. They described how stigma, provider discomfort, and systemic gaps in training and infrastructure hindered effective care. Providers also shared that menstrual health was often deprioritized due to competing health needs and structural barriers such as lack of housing, transportation, and product access. Despite these challenges, providers offered actionable recommendations to improve menstrual health support through education, policy change, and more equitable organizational practices.

conclusionsThis study highlights the multi-level barriers providers face when supporting the menstrual health needs of PEH. Our findings show that meaningful change requires coordinated efforts across all levels of the SEM. Actionable strategies include provider training, improved intake processes, expanded access to menstrual products and hygiene resources, and policy reforms to address housing and insurance gaps. These insights can inform training programs, shelter protocols, and advocacy efforts to promote menstrual health equity and provider sustainability.

Indexed as

Health PersonnelHealth Services AccessibilityIll-Housed PersonsMenstruationSocial WorkAdultFemaleHumansIndianaInterviews as TopicMenstrual Hygiene ProductsQualitative ResearchHealthcare providersHealth equityHomelessnessMenstruationSocial-ecological modelSocial service providers

Identifiers

PMID40448085
PMCPMC12123704

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LicenceCC BY
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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.