Arkansas implemented a breastfeeding program including counseling, webinars, texting and other supports
The report provides a census of breastfeeding policies and practices at State agencies (SAs) and local WIC agencies (LAs).
Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months and complementary foods with breastfeeding until one year provide optimal health
Offering immunizations at the time of WIC appointments may increase overall rates of childhood immunizations in rural environments
Technology based information may work in this population, especially if targeting the entire household and younger family members. However, they should limit the amount of cellular data used to participate which is costly in Alaska.
A high prevalence of food insecurity was determined (61%) and was associated with American Indian ethnicity, lower educational level, single adult households, WIC participation, and urban settings (p = 0.05).
About 74 % of all WIC mothers initiated breastfeeding. Urban women who were Hispanic, aged 18-19, high school graduates, household income >$10,000/year, and started early prenatal care were more likely to breastfeed. Urban and rural women who were non-Hispanic black with some high school education were less likely to breastfeed.
Gaps in hospital and community breastfeeding support were observed in the emerging themes: lack of realistic information about the breastfeeding experience, breastfeeding time constraint, and lack of continued support.
The following characteristics were associated with reduced odds of smoking 3 months prior to pregnancy: being 17 years old or younger, Hispanic, a high school graduate, urban location, normal body mass index, no live births prior to current pregnancy, and using multi-vitamins. Results from this study indicate that the WIC population in rural areas may have different needs regarding smoking cessation programming than the urban WIC population
WIC clients were made to participate in a whooping cough education model, learning was evaluted using a pre and post test, clients indicated that they were more likely to vaccinate themselves and the child after the model
