Facilitators and Barriers to Utilization of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women,Infants,and Children Identified by Community Health Workers Serving Hispanic and Marshallese Households

Abstract

Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate and food insecurity rate in the United States with low participation in federal assistance programs. This qualitative study explores facilitators and barriers to Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) utilization from a focus group with Hispanic and Marshallese community health workers (CHWs). A sample of nine bilingual CHWs participated in the focus group as a part of a food insecurity community of practice. Content analysis of participant discussion was conducted. Four themes emerged: (1) experiences with the WIC enrollment process, (2) less perceived stigma around WIC in comparison with other federal benefits, (3) challenges obtaining WIC-eligible items, and (4) infant feeding-related challenges. Findings are informing interventions that reduce WIC utilization barriers for Hispanic and Marshallese women in high need of assistance.