Characteristics of women eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) who were not on WIC during pregnancy, Hawaii, 2000-2006

Background:

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) seeks to improve the health of women, infants, and children who are at nutritional risk. This study identifed characteristics of women who were eligible but were not on WIC during pregnancy using the Hawaii Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

Methods:

Data for 8,255 respondents (weighted N=69,368) from Hawaii PRAMS 2000-2006 were analyzed. WIC eligibility was determined by income, household size, and Medicaid status. This study compared those who were eligible for WIC but did not participate (non-WIC) to those that reported WIC participation in their pregnancy. Chi-square tests compared distributions of demographics, risk factors, and health outcomes.

Results:

About 34% of those eligible were not on WIC during their pregnancy. Non-WIC women were older, had higher income and education, and had higher proportions of Whites and Japanese. The proportion of women who received no prenatal care was higher among non-WIC women (3.1% vs. 1.1%). This difference was most significant among those with lowest income (6.7% vs. 1.8%) and among those with lowest education (8.5% vs. 1.4%). In addition, non-WIC women with lower income or education were less likely to enter prenatal care in the first trimester compared to WIC women in the same strata.

Conclusions:

This demonstrates positive effects of WIC on access to prenatal care among those with lower socioeconomic status. Programs that encourage these women to enroll in WIC are suggested. PRAMS can be used to monitor WIC service delivery in an on-going basis.