Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools

The objective was to present a synthesis of the literature on the topic ‘menstrual poverty’. The search considered the sources PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO Brazil and Google Scholar site. Pairs of researchers conducted the review steps according to the PRISMA guidelines, and assessed the quality o...

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Main Authors: Maria Isabel do Nascimento, Ana Luiza Morgado Costa, Gabriella Lima Pereira da Silva, Katherine da Silva de Jesus, Maria Clara de Oliveira Lemes, Paula Barbosa Maia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centro Universitário São Camilo 2024-10-01
Series:O Mundo da Saúde
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Online Access:https://revistamundodasaude.emnuvens.com.br/mundodasaude/article/view/1615
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author Maria Isabel do Nascimento
Ana Luiza Morgado Costa
Gabriella Lima Pereira da Silva
Katherine da Silva de Jesus
Maria Clara de Oliveira Lemes
Paula Barbosa Maia
author_facet Maria Isabel do Nascimento
Ana Luiza Morgado Costa
Gabriella Lima Pereira da Silva
Katherine da Silva de Jesus
Maria Clara de Oliveira Lemes
Paula Barbosa Maia
author_sort Maria Isabel do Nascimento
collection DOAJ
description The objective was to present a synthesis of the literature on the topic ‘menstrual poverty’. The search considered the sources PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO Brazil and Google Scholar site. Pairs of researchers conducted the review steps according to the PRISMA guidelines, and assessed the quality of the evidence using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A total of 2,457 publications were identified, and 22 of them were included in the review. The concept outlined from this review suggests that “menstrual poverty corresponds to a multidimensional condition symbolically materialized by the lack of genital care products, which expresses, above all, the psychosocial vulnerability of the person who menstruates caused by the deprivation of the right to fundamental goods necessary for the enjoyment of a dignified and respectful life”. Age and socioeconomic conditions are the main markers of vulnerability to ‘period poverty’. A vast list of questions delves into the subject, primarily exploring aspects such as access, affordability, and availability of hygiene products to use during the menstrual flow period. By synthesizing the concepts and findings provided by the studies included in this review, it was possible to verify that the unfavorable socioeconomic factors are the most important makers of menstrual poverty. Although the menstrual poverty phenomenon is manifestation of essential goods deprivation and lack of human dignity, the research instruments and the solutions focused on access and supply of hygiene products. This reduction gives little visibility to the inequalities and social injustice that underlie the phenomenon of menstrual poverty.
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spelling doaj-art-5db260dbebf148f4b40852d61d9f42632025-08-20T03:23:52ZengCentro Universitário São CamiloO Mundo da Saúde0104-78091980-39902024-10-014810.15343/0104-7809.202448e16152024P2147Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement toolsMaria Isabel do Nascimento0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9001-8543Ana Luiza Morgado Costa1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4790-5301Gabriella Lima Pereira da Silva2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1648-242XKatherine da Silva de Jesus3https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1876-2210Maria Clara de Oliveira Lemes4https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9740-000XPaula Barbosa Maia5https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2066-5909Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral e Especializada, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói/RJ, Brasil.Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral e Especializada, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói/RJ, Brasil.Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral e Especializada, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói/RJ, Brasil.Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral e Especializada, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói/RJ, Brasil.Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral e Especializada, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói/RJ, Brasil.Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Cirurgia Geral e Especializada, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói/RJ, Brasil.The objective was to present a synthesis of the literature on the topic ‘menstrual poverty’. The search considered the sources PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO Brazil and Google Scholar site. Pairs of researchers conducted the review steps according to the PRISMA guidelines, and assessed the quality of the evidence using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A total of 2,457 publications were identified, and 22 of them were included in the review. The concept outlined from this review suggests that “menstrual poverty corresponds to a multidimensional condition symbolically materialized by the lack of genital care products, which expresses, above all, the psychosocial vulnerability of the person who menstruates caused by the deprivation of the right to fundamental goods necessary for the enjoyment of a dignified and respectful life”. Age and socioeconomic conditions are the main markers of vulnerability to ‘period poverty’. A vast list of questions delves into the subject, primarily exploring aspects such as access, affordability, and availability of hygiene products to use during the menstrual flow period. By synthesizing the concepts and findings provided by the studies included in this review, it was possible to verify that the unfavorable socioeconomic factors are the most important makers of menstrual poverty. Although the menstrual poverty phenomenon is manifestation of essential goods deprivation and lack of human dignity, the research instruments and the solutions focused on access and supply of hygiene products. This reduction gives little visibility to the inequalities and social injustice that underlie the phenomenon of menstrual poverty.https://revistamundodasaude.emnuvens.com.br/mundodasaude/article/view/1615menstrual povertymenstrual periodmenstruationmenstrual healthmenstrual hygiene
spellingShingle Maria Isabel do Nascimento
Ana Luiza Morgado Costa
Gabriella Lima Pereira da Silva
Katherine da Silva de Jesus
Maria Clara de Oliveira Lemes
Paula Barbosa Maia
Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
O Mundo da Saúde
menstrual poverty
menstrual period
menstruation
menstrual health
menstrual hygiene
title Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
title_full Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
title_fullStr Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
title_full_unstemmed Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
title_short Menstrual poverty: a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
title_sort menstrual poverty a systematic review to identify vulnerable populations and measurement tools
topic menstrual poverty
menstrual period
menstruation
menstrual health
menstrual hygiene
url https://revistamundodasaude.emnuvens.com.br/mundodasaude/article/view/1615
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