Building a Future for School-Based Menstruation Health and Hygiene (MHH): Evaluating Implementation of a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy in Chicago Public Schools.

Shah, Serena, Shenkman, Julia, Chicojay, Thalia, Kamiri, Janet, DiPaolo, Marisa, DeClemente, Tarrah, Fishman, Emily, Phillips-Howard, Penelope ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1018-116X and Neubauer, Leah (2024) 'Building a Future for School-Based Menstruation Health and Hygiene (MHH): Evaluating Implementation of a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy in Chicago Public Schools.'. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community. (In Press)

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Abstract

Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) inequities disproportionately impact communities who are marginalized. In 2018, Illinois passed the Learn with Dignity Act (LWDA) requiring schools to provide menstrual products in bathrooms, yet little is known about its impacts. This evaluation examined LWDA implementation across Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and identified barriers, facilitators, and lessons to inform future MHH policy implementations. A qualitative study was conducted by thematically analyzing interviews with CPS staff (n = 36) from October 2020 – September 2021 in partnership with CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW). Staff reported inadequate LWDA and MHH education and inconsistent menstrual product availability. Structural, systemic, and cultural implementation barriers hindered student access to products and created inequities based on age, gender, and income. Staff investment and student education were implementation facilitators. Staff awareness of policy implementation protocol, student MHH education, and addressing access inequities are key factors for consideration in future policy implementations. Through the WSCC model, these findings demonstrated the importance of strengthening MHH policies and policy implementation to promote student health, well-being, and educational opportunities.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 309 Women's health WP Gynecology > WP 20 Research (General) WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 460 Adolescence (General)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2024.2379082
Depositing User:	Jane Rawlinson
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2024 14:42
Last Modified:	06 Aug 2024 14:42
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/24883

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