Individual and Household-Level Factors Associated With Caregivers' Intention to Keep Their Child Enrolled in WIC

Abstract

Objective: Identify factors associated with caregivers' intention to keep their child enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program until age 5 years. Methods: Baseline data from a longitudinal questionnaire aiming to assess the impact of a statewide intervention to increase WIC retention in Illinois were analyzed in 2018. Data on sociodemographics and household characteristics were collected in 2015 from 174 caregiver/child dyads. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with caregivers' intention to keep their child enrolled in WIC until age 5 years (ie, intention). Results: A total of 66% of caregivers stated they were very likely to keep their child enrolled in the WIC program. Breastfeeding and homeownership status were associated with 58% (P =.03) and 72% (P =.02) lower odds of intention among caregivers, respectively. Conclusions and Implications: Significant inverse associations among breastfeeding, homeownership, and intention support the need for tailoring state-level WIC retention efforts to specific population characteristics and health behaviors.

Experiences participating in federal nutrition assistance programs during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study in Vermont

“…However, there is signi cant variability in the duration of WIC enrollment, with characteristics such as lower household income increasing the probability of sustained enrollment (46) and factors such as breastfeeding and home ownership associated with lower intent to maintain enrollment (47). Overall estimates of WIC-eligible nonparticipation rates range as high as 50% (48).…”

Lower redemption of monthly Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children benefits associated with higher risk of program discontinuation

“…Low benefit utilisation, based upon the redemption of paper vouchers with <75 % compared with ≥75 % redeemed, was associated with lower rates of recertification prior to the introduction of EBT in California (16) and qualitatively in Massachusetts (17) . Therefore, it is important to examine factors that may indicate reduced engagement with the program in order to maximise ongoing participation and extend the positive impacts of WIC on child well-being (14,(16)(17)(18)(19) . WIC food benefit redemption data are a new source of information available to WIC agencies in California on participating households since the advent of EBT benefit issuance in 2019.…”