New study provides recommendations for delivery of free period products

Government initiatives to provide free pads and tampons are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to help eliminate period poverty, a new study says.

A study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on Wednesday conducted in-depth interviews with people who menstruate to investigate how to ensure those most vulnerable had access to free period products.

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People aged 19 to 45 from marginalised groups, including First Nations people, recent migrants, gender-diverse people, people with disability, those experiencing homelessness, and welfare recipients, participated in the study conducted by Burnet Institute researchers.

The study found that no one approach would suit the needs of all people and the delivery of government initiatives must consider how to provide participants’ recommended features.

“In generating recommendations, or responding to vignettes depicting potential strategies, participants regularly acknowledged that addressing product insecurity was complex,” the study said.

“Some would recommend one strategy, then find caveats, and have second thoughts. Many felt it insufficient to adopt a “onesize-fits-all” approach.”

The study acknowledged the responses of two participants, P3 and P22, who said, “[It] is tricky, isn’t it?” and, “It’s basically my answer… there needs to be options” respectively.

Key recommendations made by participants included product choice, convenient access, and prioritising access to those most vulnerable and avoiding misuse.

Participants also noted the need for a balance between privacy and visibility of the delivery of products to avoid menstruation stigma.

“Privacy was a salient recommendation, with only a few participants feeling they would be confident to access products in visible locations due the stigma associated with both menstruation and poverty,” the study said.

“Whilst discreet access was considered necessary, participants also highlighted the need for visibility to ensure beneficiaries were aware of the service.”

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