The homeless period: a qualitative evidence synthesis
The homeless period: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Women experiencing homelessness are marginalized not only through their housing status but also through their access and ability to manage their menstrual health. Currently, there are no existing published reviews exploring this topic. This study aimed to begin closing that gap, by systematically reviewing the literature examining women’s experiences of menstruation whilst being homeless. In June 2020 (and updated in December 2022), we conducted comprehensive and systematic searches of four electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychINFO, from which nine studies were found. The findings were thematically analyzed, using the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research tools (ENTREQ) guidelines. Three themes related to menstrual experiences were found: (1) challenges in the logistics of managing menstruation while homeless, (2) feelings of embarrassment, shame, and dignity linked to maintaining menstrual health, and (3) making do: how people experiencing homelessness manage challenges related to menstruation. We discuss barriers women face in getting necessary products and in accessing private, safe, and clean facilities to manage menstrual health. The study found that women living with homelessness often abandon other basic needs in favor of managing menstruation (i.e. using unsuitable materials, stealing, etc.), which furthers their risk. The findings highlight the need for future research to investigate the experiences of women who are menstruating while being homeless and what support they would find helpful. Results show that it is high time for commissioners and policy-makers to address the provision of menstrual resources as a basic human right.
Homelessness, inclusion health, menstruation, reproductive health, women and health
250-260
Orsini, Gabriella D.
5d8e4286-d8d1-44ee-ac8a-b18d2878ef9f
Tarabay, Jennifer
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Hardy-Johnson, Polly L.
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Barker, Stephanie L.
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Greenway, Frances T.
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29 February 2024
Orsini, Gabriella D.
5d8e4286-d8d1-44ee-ac8a-b18d2878ef9f
Tarabay, Jennifer
7554c4d6-05b2-41cb-8381-14d0acdab3ac
Hardy-Johnson, Polly L.
49276c2f-01a9-4488-9f30-dc359cf867e0
Barker, Stephanie L.
c13c8f44-ca6f-497d-8eca-006707beeddf
Greenway, Frances T.
d106755d-53c5-4141-976a-ef9cfe4e9113
Orsini, Gabriella D., Tarabay, Jennifer, Hardy-Johnson, Polly L., Barker, Stephanie L. and Greenway, Frances T.
(2024)
The homeless period: a qualitative evidence synthesis.
Women & Health, 64 (3), .
(doi:10.1080/03630242.2024.2310716).
Abstract
Women experiencing homelessness are marginalized not only through their housing status but also through their access and ability to manage their menstrual health. Currently, there are no existing published reviews exploring this topic. This study aimed to begin closing that gap, by systematically reviewing the literature examining women’s experiences of menstruation whilst being homeless. In June 2020 (and updated in December 2022), we conducted comprehensive and systematic searches of four electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychINFO, from which nine studies were found. The findings were thematically analyzed, using the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research tools (ENTREQ) guidelines. Three themes related to menstrual experiences were found: (1) challenges in the logistics of managing menstruation while homeless, (2) feelings of embarrassment, shame, and dignity linked to maintaining menstrual health, and (3) making do: how people experiencing homelessness manage challenges related to menstruation. We discuss barriers women face in getting necessary products and in accessing private, safe, and clean facilities to manage menstrual health. The study found that women living with homelessness often abandon other basic needs in favor of managing menstruation (i.e. using unsuitable materials, stealing, etc.), which furthers their risk. The findings highlight the need for future research to investigate the experiences of women who are menstruating while being homeless and what support they would find helpful. Results show that it is high time for commissioners and policy-makers to address the provision of menstrual resources as a basic human right.
Text
The homeless period a qualitative evidence synthesis
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Accepted/In Press date: 17 January 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 11 February 2024
Published date: 29 February 2024
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© 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords:
Homelessness, inclusion health, menstruation, reproductive health, women and health
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Local EPrints ID: 487346
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/487346
PURE UUID: b1398df1-b997-48f2-8166-69b06ed344a0
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Date deposited: 19 Feb 2024 20:25
Last modified: 27 Apr 2024 02:21
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Author:
Gabriella D. Orsini
Author:
Jennifer Tarabay
Author:
Polly L. Hardy-Johnson
Author:
Frances T. Greenway
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