Does WIC Participation During Pregnancy Have an Association with Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth? Open Access
Morke, Ababa (Spring 2023)
Published
Abstract
Introduction: Early access to nutritional services and prenatal care is essential for optimizing birth outcomes. However, evidence on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and birth outcomes is mixed. We aim to examine the association of WIC participation on low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). We also aim to gain further insight into the association of participation among racially and ethnically different groups in Minnesota.
Methods: The study used birth certificate data from Minnesota for the years 2019-2021, linked with WIC participant information to study the association between WIC participation during pregnancy and LBW and PTB. Logistic regression models were used for the analysis of each outcome. A secondary analysis was conducted to assess these associations stratified among different race/ethnic groups in Minnesota. SAS software was used for statistical analysis, and results were significant if P<0.05
Results: From the sample of 46102, prenatal WIC participation for ≥3 months was associated with a 18% reduction of LBW (AOR 0.82; 95% CI 0.76 - .90; P= <0.0001) and a 21% reduction in the prevalence of PTB (AOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.73 – 0.85; P <0.0001). When stratified by race/ethnicity, East African (AOR 0.65; 95% CI 0.50 – 0.85), Hmong (AOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.40 – 0.86), and White (AOR 0.83; 95% CI 0.72 – 0.97) WIC participants showed statistically significant reductions in the prevalence of LBW compared to non-participants. The Asian/NH/PI, Black/African American, Native American, and Hispanic WIC participants lacked statistical significance. For PTB, East African (AOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.52 – 0.87), Hispanic (AOR 0.77; 95% CI 0.65 – 0.91), and White (AOR 0.82; 95% CI 0.72 - 0.93) WIC participants showed statistically significant reductions in the prevalence of PTB compared to non-participants. The Asian, Black/African American, Hmong, and Native American WIC participants showed protective odds ratios without the statistical significance.
Conclusion: WIC participation was shown to be protective against PTB and LBW. Increasing WIC enrollment in Minnesota could help reduce the prevalence of PTB and LBW. Our findings may help inform future qualitative studies among Minnesota’s racial/ethnic groups to better understand differences in dietary intake, cultural beliefs, or practices that may lead to better outcomes among some groups.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Purpose Statement 3
Objectives 3
Terms/Acronyms & Definitions 3
Chapter 2: Background 4
Existing research 6
Racial disparities in WIC research 9
Chapter II: Methods 10
Data Source 10
Outcome variables 11
Exposure 11
Covariates 11
Analysis 12
Chapter 3: Results 13
Logistic Regression Analysis for LBW 14
Logistic Regression Analysis for PTB 14
Stratifying by Race/Ethnicity 15
Chapter 4: Discussion 17
Chapter 5: Conclusion 21
References 23
Chapter 6: Tables and Figures 26
Figure 1: Sample selection 26
About this Master's Thesis
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