Background: Adequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is imperative for health and wellbeing, yet people with disabilities, people with incontinence and people who menstruate often experience unmet WASH requirements.Methods: In 2019 we completed a mixed-methods study in two provinces of Vanuatu, (SANMA and TORBA). The study comprised 1) a population-based disability survey using the Washington Group Short-Set 2) a nested case-control study to explore associations between WASH, disability and gender, and 3) an in-depth qualitative assessment of the experiences of WASH users with additional requirements: people with and without disabilities who menstruate, or experience incontinence.Finding: 11,446 households (response rate 85%) were enrolled into the survey. All-age disability prevalence across the two provinces was 2.6% (95% Confidence Interval 2.5-2.8), increasing with age. 814 people with, and 702 people without disabilities participated in the case-control study. People with disabilities were statistically more likely to experience barriers in seven of eight intra-household indicators. WASH-related stigma, reliance on informal caregivers, and under-resourcing of WASH personnel were critical issues for people who menstruate or experience incontinence.Interpretation: People with disabilities, people with incontinence and people who menstruate in Northern Vanuatu face continued challenges in accessing safe, affordable and appropriate WASH that meets their requirements. Outputs from this study have supported progression towards gender and disabilityinclusive WASH programming in the area and highlighted the value of mixed-methods research.Funding: The research was funded by the Australian Government's Water for Women fund and donations from the Australian public.

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Background Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine and/or faeces. It is stigmatised and can reduce quality of life. People with incontinence require water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and incontinence products. People with disabilities are at risk of experiencing incontinence and may face challenges managing, however, minimal evidence exists. Methods This study aimed to complete a population-based study of disability in TORBA and SANMA Provinces, Vanuatu to quantify the prevalence and demographics of disability, experience of WASH access and incontinence for people with and without disabilities. We completed a survey, case-control study, in-depth interviews, structured observations and PhotoVoice. 179 people with disabilities and 148 people without disabilities completed the incontinence module in the case-control study. We applied purposeful sampling to select 27 people with and without a disability from the nested case-control, and 16 key informants for the qualitative study to further explore the impact of incontinence on people's lives. Findings People with disabilities were three times more likely to experience incontinence than people without disabilities (Adjusted Odds Ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.8 – 5.8). Challenges facing all people with incontinence were distance to latrines and lack of incontinence products. People with disabilities were less able to wash and participate in social activities. Less than 10% had assistive technologies; caregivers had no lifting devices. People experiencing incontinence did not disclose this to others, including medical professionals, who also did not raise the issue. Interpretation Inaccessible and inadequate WASH, lack of incontinence products and stigma increased isolation for all people with incontinence. Additionally, people with disabilities and caregivers faced discrimination and insufficient assistive technologies. This negatively affected their wellbeing and quality of life, and requires addressing. Funding Australian Government's Water for Women Fund and public donations.

Attention to menstrual health in humanitarian responses is increasing, but evidence related to people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers is absent. This study begins to address that. We applied purposive sampling to select 17 women and girls (aged 15–31) with intellectual disabilities, their 17 caregivers in SANMA province, Vanuatu, and seven key informants. We used in-depth interviews, PhotoVoice and ranking, and observation and analysed data thematically using Nvivo 12. We found that caregivers wished to maintain the person’s safety and privacy, especially when menstruating, which reduced evacuation options. People with intellectual disabilities support requirements sometimes increased after emergencies. This meant caregivers were less able to work and recover from disasters. Caregivers requested the distribution of more reusable menstrual materials and a greater choice, including adult-sized diapers for menstruation and incontinence. Key informants noted that menstrual health interventions must always be delivered to people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers so that menstrual health knowledge and practices exist before emergencies. We found that men and women supported people with intellectual disabilities’ menstrual health, thus challenging gendered assumptions about caregiving. Efforts to achieve menstrual health for this population within disaster preparedness plans must be included. If not, families will fall further into poverty every time a disaster hits Vanuatu.

IntroductionWomen and girls with disabilities may be excluded from efforts to achieve menstrual health during emergencies. The review objectives were to (1) identify and map the scope of available evidence on the inclusion of disability in menstrual health during emergencies and (2) understand its focus in comparison to menstrual health for people without disabilities in emergencies.MethodsEligible papers covered all regions and emergencies. Peer-reviewed papers were identified by conducting searches, in February 2020 and August 2021, across six online databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, ReliefWeb, and Cinahal Plus); gray literature was identified through OpenGrey, Gray Literature Report, Google Scholar, and Million Short. Eligible papers included data on menstrual health for women and girls with and without disabilities in emergencies.ResultsFifty-one papers were included; most focused on Southern Asia and man-made hazards. Nineteen papers contained primary research, whilst 32 did not. Four of the former were published in peer-reviewed journals; 34 papers were high quality. Only 26 papers mentioned menstrual health and disability in humanitarian settings, but the discussion was fleeting and incredibly light. Social support, behavioral expectations, knowledge, housing, shelter, water and sanitation infrastructure, disposal facilities, menstrual material availability, and affordability were investigated. Women and girls with disabilities rarely participated in menstrual health efforts, experienced reduced social support, and were less able to access water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, including disposal facilities. Cash transfers and hygiene kit distribution points were often inaccessible for people with disabilities; few outreach schemes existed. Hygiene kits provided were not always appropriate for people with disabilities. Caregivers (all genders) require but lack guidance about how to support an individual with disabilities to manage menstruation.ConclusionMinimal evidence exists on menstrual health and disabilities in emergencies; what does exist rarely directly involves women and girls with disabilities or their caregivers. Deliberate action must be taken to generate data about their menstrual health requirements during humanitarian crises and develop subsequent evidence-based solutions. All efforts must be made in meaningful participation with women and girls with disabilities and their caregivers to ensure interventions are appropriate.Systematic review registrationIdentifier: CRD42021250937.