Period poverty: a scoping review

Abstract

Objectives: to map evidence, perspectives and gaps on period poverty. Methods: a scoping review, carried out in May 2022 in the MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science databases, according to the JBI recommendations. Results: the final sample consisted of 23 studies. Four predominant factors in relation to period poverty were observed: factors associated with period poverty; impacts of period poverty; menstrual hygiene management; and coping strategies. Conclusions: period poverty is a public health and human rights issue, especially for people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability. Despite the growing international commitment to focus on promoting menstrual health, it still does not receive adequate emphasis. The importance of implementing strategies to address and overcome period poverty to promote menstrual health and achieve gender equality was highlighted.