Access to free period products: baseline survey results

Awareness and understanding of free period products

Despite the Act not coming into force until 15 August 2022, awareness of access to free period products was quite widespread. This is possibly a reflection of the early introduction in educational settings and some public places.

Around three quarters (76%) were aware that they could access free period products in Scotland. Reflecting the early free access in educational settings, those most likely to be aware of access to free period products were younger (Figure 9).

QB1. Before today, were you aware that you can access free period products in Scotland?

Base: All respondents (adult and children) (1400)

Amongst those who struggled to afford period products, awareness was lower (at 57% compared to 75% for those who reported they could afford period products). This suggests that greater awareness raising activity may be needed.

For those who reported being aware of their ability to access free period products, they most commonly found out about this through the news or social media (20% and 25%, respectively). Respondents were least likely to find out at a community centre (1%) (Table 4).

Base: All who were aware that they can access free period products (1057)

Question: B2. Where did you find out about the access to free period products?

Evidence suggest that the most impactful channels for raising awareness are as follows:

• For young people (aged 12-15 years): school/college, social media and from friends/family
• For older age groups (45 and over): the news, social media and work
• For those struggling to afford period products: social media and college/university
• For those concerned about their monthly spend on period products: social media and the news
• For those living in a lower income household: social media, the news and from friends/family.

For respondents aware of their ability to access free period products, they were most likely to report 'school, college or university' and 'health centres' as settings to obtain these products (72% and 57%, respectively). Respondents were least likely to receive free period products through them being sent to their home (9%) (Table 5).

Base: All who were aware that they can access free period products (1057)

Question: B3. As far as you are aware, where can you obtain free period products from in Scotland?

There was some variance in awareness of where to access free period products by age. For example, young people were more likely than adults to be aware of access at school, college or university (94% compared to 70%), from a health centre (64% compared to 56%), from a public library (37% compared to 27%), from a leisure centre (35% compared to 23%).

On the whole, when asked of their awareness of their ability to access free period products, respondents in lower income households tended to be less aware of settings where they could access these products. For example:

• 18% of those earning under £20,000 a year were aware of public libraries providing access to free period products. This is compared to 28% for those earning between £20,000 and £40,000 a year, and 32% for those earning over £40,000.
• 17% of those earning under £20,000 a year were aware leisure centres provided free period products. This is compared to 25% for those earning between £20,000 and £40,000 a year, and 27% for those earning over £40,000.

All respondents were asked, 'If you needed to obtain free period products, where would be the most convenient place for you to get them?' (Table 6). The preferred methods for obtaining free products were: sent to their home (33%); at work (20%); at school, college or university (16%); and, at a health centre (16%). The least preferred locations were at a leisure centre (2%) and at another council building (1%).

Base: All respondents (adult and children) (1400)

Question: B5. If you needed to obtain free period products, where would be the most convenient place for you to get them?

When looking at age more closely, there was some variation:

• The preferred methods for obtaining free periods for young people were: school, college, university (51%) and a health centre (23%).
• The preferred methods for obtaining free periods for adults was: sent to their home (35%); work (21%); health centre (15%); or, school, college, university (13%).
• Adults were more likely than young people to report free period products being sent direct to their home as their preferred method of accessing products (35% compared to 16%, respectively).