Method: During January 2018, we conducted four focus groups utilizing a semi-structured interview guide with public health staff (N = 24) across four public health districts in Midwestern counties. WIC staff included social workers, nurses, nutritionists and ancillary staff. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and verified. NVivo 11.4.2 software was used for data organization and qualitative analysis.
Results: WIC providers spoke at length about adapting their approach to assess and address food insecurity in settings with unique characteristics due to cultural diversity. Four key themes emerged: 1) Language adaptation to assess food insecurity, 2) Challenges posed by male presence while assessing food insecurity, 3) Individualized client education to promote use of WIC food items, 4.) Diverse WIC staff can better assess food insecurity in diverse populations.
Conclusion: Findings from this study bring attention to important and previously undocumented adaptations to clinical practice that WIC staff utilize to best meet the needs of their local populations. It identified key adaptations that WIC staff utilize to authentically connect with WIC families especially Hispanic and immigrant families. This study adds confirmation to the importance of employing patient-centered care approaches in public health prevention programming. As the composition of our WIC participating populations becomes increasingly more diverse, it will be important for policy makers and public health clinic administrators to take into account considerations for hiring of WIC staff from diverse backgrounds mirroring local populations served as well as provisions of staff training on culturally appropriate approaches to assessment of food insecurity. These measures will enhance the ability of public health programming to improve the well-being of nutritionally at risk maternal child populations.
See more of: Invited Posters