Addressing Period Poverty: Evaluating a Free Period Product Program in a University Setting

Period poverty, characterized by inadequate access to menstrual health resources and education, detrimentally affects school attendance, academic performance, and individual health. Recent studies have revealed nearly one-fifth of college-enrolled women experienced period poverty in the past year, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. Through our study at Purdue University, we evaluated the effectiveness of a free pad and tampon program aimed at reducing period poverty. Findings from our survey, which included responses from 766 university student participants, revealed many utilized the program due to not having products with them (43.2%). In contrast, others cited early or late periods (33.4%) and financial constraints (5.2%) as reasons for usage. In addition, 81.7% of respondents reported they were aware of the program's existence, indicating a need for more tailored promotional efforts to reach the entire student body. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the program's impact and provide actionable recommendations for improving accessibility and addressing the diverse needs of menstruating individuals within the university community. Leveraging these findings, university administrators can play a vital role in advancing menstrual equity initiatives and fostering supportive environments for all menstruators on campus.