Caregiver Perspectives on Underutilization of WIC: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that improves the health of low-income women (pregnant and postpartum) and children up to 5 years of age in the United States. However, participation is suboptimal. We explored reasons for incomplete redemption of benefits and early dropout from WIC.

Methods

In 2020-2021, we conducted semistructured interviews to explore factors that influenced WIC program utilization among current WIC caregivers (n = 20) and caregivers choosing to leave while still eligible (n = 17) in Massachusetts. By using a deductive analytic approach, we developed a codebook grounded in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Results

Themes across both current and ear

SUBMITTER: Gago CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8934047 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature