Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
Volume 25, Issue 1, 2019, Pages 69-77

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

Smock L.* , Nguyen T. , Metallinos-Katsaras E. , Magge H. , Cochran J. , Geltman P.L.
  • a Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02130, United States
  • b Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02130, United States
  • c Division of Nutrition, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, United States, Department of Nutrition, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Simmons College, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Global Health Equity, Boston Children's Hospital Division of General Pediatrics, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02130, United States
  • f Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02130, United States, Ambulatory Care Services, Franciscan Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Objectives: 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. Design: 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. Setting: Massachusetts. Participants: Refugee children under age 5 years. Main Outcome Measures: (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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Author Keywords

Malnutrition Refugee WIC

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85057203779&doi=10.1097%2fPHH.0000000000000789&partnerID=40&md5=f05441a51c919487733bdf3605950edb

DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000789
ISSN: 10784659
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English