Military family perspectives on enrollment and engagement in the WIC program
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Chokshi, B., Zven, S., Burris, R., Wido, M., & Hisle-Gorman, E. (2024). Military family perspectives on enrollment and engagement in the WIC program. Military Medicine, usae192. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae192
Abstract Created by REACH:
The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program intended to bolster the health of low-income pregnant and postpartum women and their children 0–5 years old. This mixed-methods study investigated military families’ engagement with and perceptions of WIC. 399 active-duty E1–E6 Service members or their spouse/partner completed surveys regarding WIC participation and their experiences with the program. 40 respondents then participated in follow-up focus groups to further discuss their experiences as well as facilitators of and barriers to program engagement. In general, misinformation about WIC and military-specific factors, such as frequent relocation, emerged as salient barriers to program eligibility and engagement.
Focus:
Programming
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Marine Corps
Navy
Coast Guard
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Spouse of service member or veteran
Active duty service member
Military families
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Mixed-Methods Study
Qualitative Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Chokshi, Binny, Zven, Sidney, Burris, Rachel, Wido, Meaghan, Hisle-Gorman, Elizabeth
Abstract:
One in four U.S. service members endorses food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is an invaluable, underutilized resource that can increase access to nutritious food for families with children under 5 years of age. Our research sought to evaluate military family perceptions and engagement with the WIC program.We conducted a mixed-method study, recruiting from a convenience sample of military families who applied for financial assistance for child care. An 18-question survey and follow-up focus groups assessed participant demographics and experiences with WIC. We utilized descriptive statistics ordinal logistic regression analyses for quantitative data analysis. For qualitative data, descriptive content analysis with constant comparison and inductive and deductive coding of interviews identified emerging themes. This study was approved by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Institutional Review Board.Among the 399 survey respondents, 25% were currently enrolled in WIC and 39% had been previously enrolled. Service members and their partners learned about WIC from a variety of sources, and there was no significant association between the branch of service or rank and WIC enrollment. There were 40 total participants in 10 completed focus groups. Six themes emerged: (1) Military-specific factors create unique circumstances related to WIC engagement; (2) the WIC program facilitates access to formula supplementation and nutritious foods for military families; (3) lack of program awareness and misinformation are top barriers to WIC engagement in military families; (4) stigma impacts WIC program enrollment and engagement; (5) logistics of enrollment can impact WIC engagement among military families; and (6) the military can support WIC enrollment and engagement through standardization, education, and leadership commitment.Our findings suggest that unique circumstances related to military family life create a profound need for programs addressing food support, such as WIC. Interventions to improve WIC enrollment among military families need to be rooted in broad outreach efforts, not targeted at specific ranks, branches, or ages. Specific recommendations include increasing information dissemination, universally screening military families for WIC, decreasing logistical burdens, and involving military leadership.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
WIC program, food insecurity, military families
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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