FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCT USE AND AWARENESS AMONG YOUNG US ADULTS
Author(s)
Rai P1, Shah D1, Kelly K2
1West Virginia University, School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA, 2West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
OBJECTIVES: Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study aimed to examine the association between feminine hygiene product utilization and characteristics of female users and to evaluate the differences between men and women in general and safety attitudes, safety normative beliefs, and taxation of feminine hygiene products. METHODS: Cross-sectional online survey study data of young adults (women: n=154; men: n=43) was analyzed with t-tests, chi-square analyses, and multivariable logistic regressions with forward stepwise elimination. RESULTS: Women predominantly used tampons (82%), panty liners (59%), and maxi-pads (54%). Particularly concerning, some women continued using tampons and maxi-pads for longer than 8 hours at a time despite the threat of toxic shock syndrome. Further, the pattern of women’s use was consistent with men’s awareness: most men were aware of tampons (79%) and maxi pads (74%), with menstrual cups (21%) and sanitary panties (29%) being less well known. Regression analyses revealed few factors associated with feminine hygiene product use: race for tampons (p=0.02), age for tampons and feminine wash (p=0.02, p=0.03, respectively), positive general attitude for menstrual cup (p=0.02), taxes for douche, feminine wipes, and anti-itch cream (p=0.004, p=0.007, p<0.001, respectively), and safety normative beliefs for anti-itch cream (p=0.02). Women had more positive general attitude (p<0.001) and less desire for taxation (p<0.001) of feminine hygiene products than men. A trend indicated that women had less positive safety normative beliefs (p=0.10) than men. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that interventions addressing safety attitudes and normative beliefs, not limited to only women, would be helpful. Our study also has important policy implications and echoes the findings of others that feminine hygiene products are a cost burden. Policies are needed to promote public safety by finding ways to reduce cost; lowering taxes of feminine hygiene products is one such method.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2018-05, ISPOR 2018, Baltimore, MD, USA
Value in Health, Vol. 21, S1 (May 2018)
Code
PMD120
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Topic Subcategory
Health Care Research, Public Health
Disease
Multiple Diseases, Reproductive and Sexual Health