Refugee Children's Participation in the Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition (WIC) Program in Massachusetts, 1998-2010

• Published in: Journal of public health management and practice Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 69 - 77
• Main Authors: Smock, Laura, Nguyen, Thinh, Metallinos-Katsaras, Elizabeth, Magge, Hema, Cochran, Jennifer, Geltman, Paul L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-2019
• Subjects: Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Food Assistance - organization & administration; Food Assistance - statistics & numerical data; Health technology assessment; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Massachusetts - ethnology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - ethnology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Refugees - statistics & numerical data; Massachusetts
• ISSN: 1078-4659; 1550-5022
• DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000789

To (1) describe prevalence of growth abnormalities and anemia in refugee children; (2) describe the proportion of age-eligible refugee children enrolled in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and (3) identify risk factors for lack of enrollment in WIC.
Data were collected from 1731 health screenings for refugee children younger than 5 years in Massachusetts in 1998-2010 and matched to WIC program records. Risk factors for lack of WIC enrollment were analyzed in SAS using multivariate logistic regression.
Massachusetts.
Refugee children under age 5 years.
(1) prevalence of growth abnormalities and anemia in refugee children, (2) proportion of age-eligible refugee children enrolled in WIC, and (3) association of risk factors with lack of WIC enrollment.
Overall, 33% of refugee children under age 5 in Massachusetts had at least 1 growth and nutrition problem, including anemia (31%), stunting (10%), wasting (8%), and low weight for age (10%). WIC enrollment among refugee children under 5 years of age was only 62%, lower than that of all eligible children under 5 in Massachusetts (86%). Risk factors for lack of WIC enrollment among refugee children included age, world region of origin, and arrival cohort.
Although many refugee children under age 5 experience growth or nutrition problems, one-third of refugee children in Massachusetts were not enrolled in WIC for nutrition assistance, representing a failure of the system. Agencies providing services at the local level should be supported to facilitate enrollment and participation for shared clients.