This study examines a range of innovative practices at 20 state or local WIC agencies. The researchers focused on practices in three main areas: breastfeeding promotion and support (including peer counseling and programs for high-risk groups); nutrition and health education (including obesity prevention, preventive healthcare, and staff training); and service delivery (such as home and workplace visits). For each innovative program, the authors provided background information and discussed the source of the innovation, key challenges, implementation lessons learned, evidence of its success, and the feasibility of replicating the practice.
To evaluate the effectiveness of an existing breastfeeding peer counseling program within the US, researchers conducted a randomized control trial, with peer counseling as an intervention. The proportion of mothers who initiated breastfeeding was significantly higher in the intervention group. These findings demonstrated that, in the US, peer counselors could significantly improve breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.
This study compared usual care with an intervention comprising hospital and home visits, as well as telephone support by a community health nurse/peer counselor team for 6 months after delivery, for low-income mothers. The results suggested that women who received the community health intervention breastfed longer than did the women who received usual care. The women in the intervention group also had fewer infant sick visits and reported use of fewer medications for their infants than did the women who received usual care. The intervention's cost ($301 per mother) was partially offset by cost savings on formula and healthcare.
The researchers analyzed participants; experiences after the implementation of a workplace learning program in the Texas WIC Program. The findings identified several best practices, including the importance of planning at multiple organizational levels, candidate selection, flexible implementation design, managerial buy-in, preceptor knowledge and availability, open communication, and the establishment of clear expectations and timelines.
This study assessed the accuracy of measurements collected by WIC staff by comparing them to gold standard measurements collected by trained research staff. Results showed that WIC body mass index percentiles accurately classified children as overweight/obese versus underweight/normal with 86% sensitivity and 92% specificity.
Early childhood caries (ECC) is a challenging public health problem, both in the US and elsewhere. Unfortunately, data relating to very young children's risk factors are scarce. This study assessed baseline risk factors for 18-month caries prevalence, in conjunction with a longitudinal study of high-risk children. Results suggested that early colonization by mutans streptocci (MS) and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are significant predictors of ECC in high-risk populations.
The objectives of the study were to describe the US public health nutrition workforce and its future social, biological, and fiscal challenges. It focused on the nutrition personnel working in governmental health agencies. Results showed that the US Department of Agriculture funds 81.7% of full-time-equivalent positions, primarily through the WIC Program. Of those personnel working in WIC, 45% have at least 10 years of experience, compared with more than 65% of the non-WIC workforce. The future workforce will need to focus on increasing its diversity and cultural competence and likely will need to address retirement within leadership positions.
The objective of this study was to examine attitudes and knowledge about vaccinations in postpartum mothers. The study showed that although the majority of infants received vaccines, their mothers had concerns and would like to have received immunization information earlier. Mothers who are primiparous; have low family incomes, but do not qualify for the WIC Program; or are breastfeeding might need special attention to develop a trusting relationship regarding vaccinations.
The researchers examines the effects of maternal and provider characteristics on the up-to-date immunization status of children. Results showed that low maternal educational levels and low socioeconomic status were associated with high 4:3:1:3 series completion rates. Also, completion rates were high in Hispanic and non-Hispanic black families with low income-to-poverty ratios.
This study assessed immunization-related barriers among children in the WIC Program, a population at risk of undervaccination. Results indicated poor immunization rates, which improved with assessment and referral. DTaP;which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis—was the most commonly missing vaccine. Lack of insurance increased risk of undervaccination.
