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Journal Article

Improving the Immunization and Health Status of Children in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

By Shefer A, Smith P

Abstract

Maintaining enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and continued exposure of these children to immunization-promoting and nutritional benefits within the program is essential to improve the health status of this vulnerable population. Logistic regression was used to determine characteristics of 2 groups of children: those who dropped out of the program despite being eligible and those who remained in the program but were underimmunized. Of over 20,000 children 19-35 months old, 49% had participated in WIC but only 50% were still enrolled. Factors most strongly associated with dropping out of the program were older age of child; white, black, or American Indian race; living in an urban or suburban area; higher socioeconomic status but still eligible for the program; having only 1 child at home; and having mothers who were unmarried or less than 30 years old (p<0.05). Among current participants, factors most strongly associated with under-vaccination included younger age of the child; black or Asian race; moving from another state since birth; mother with less than a high-school education; and having 2 or more children under 18 years old living in the household (p<0.05). Routinely collected child/family information can be used to target outreach and immunization-promoting interventions toward children most likely to drop out of the program or to be underimmunized.


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Date Added
March 15, 2018

Citation
Shefer A, Smith P (2004) Improving the Immunization and Health Status of Children in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved: Vol. 15, Issue 1, pp. 127-140. Available online: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/52682