Assessing menstrual equity amongst BAMER women fleeing gender-based abuse in Sheffield (UK): a cross-sectional study

Objectives: Menstruation is not openly discussed in numerous Black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee (BAMER) communities. Consequently, it is unclear if transitioning between cultures impacts BAMER women's menstrual health. This study aimed to evaluate menstrual equity and sanitary protection preference amongst BAMER abuse survivors displaced to Sheffield (UK). Methods: Fifty participants were recruited from women's support services between December 2018 and May 2019. Selection criteria required participants to menstruate, identify as BAMER, be displaced, and have experienced gender-based abuse. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (IBM, USA) to assess menstrual equity. Results: Many struggled to afford products (86 %), changed them infrequently (68 %) or improvised sanitary wear (40 %). Financially restricted women often changed products irregularly (p = 0.02) or used proxy items (p = 0.02). Participants disliked reusable pads (48 %) and vaginally inserted products (tampons 46 %, cups 78 %) without having tried them. Negativity surrounding reusable pads (p = 0.01) and cups (p = 0.04) was linked to menstrual taboo. Few women knew of menstruation prior to menarche (28 %). These participants were more likely to accept male doctors (p = 0.04), unlike those that regarded menstruation as taboo (p = 0.02), unclean (p = 0.02) or shameful (p = 0.001). Conclusion: We provide key information regarding the menstrual health status of marginalised women. Our findings suggest limited menstrual-health education at menarche and negative belief-systems may compromise access to products and healthcare in adulthood. This study advises policymakers to unify distribution of hygienic absorbents and menstrual-health education to normalise menstruation, thereby reducing menstrual shame and empowering women to make informed sanitary protective choices.