WHAT MOTHERS IN THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) PROGRAM FEEL ABOUT WIC AND IMMUNIZATION LINKAGE ACTIVITIES - A SUMMARY OF FOCUS GROUPS IN WISCONSIN

Background: Although studies indicate that strategies to improve immun ization coverage among preschool-age children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are effective, the attitudes of parents of children enrolled in WIC to ward the linkage between WIC and immunization programs is unknown. Obj ective: To gain a better understanding of how parents using WIC resour ces feel about the association of WIC and immunization services, their attitudes toward WIC immunization activities, factors that may cause clients to drop out of the program, and the effects of racial backgrou nd on parent attitudes. Participants and Methods: We conducted 8 focus group sessions with mothers whose children receive WIC services in Mi lwaukee, Wis. Mothers were between 18 and 35 years old, with at least 1 child between 6 and 24 months of age. The 47 mothers participating w ere each assigned to 1 of 8 focus groups, including 2 groups each of A sian, white, African American, and Hispanic mothers. A systematic cont ent analysis was conducted for themes and key points within and across ethnic groups. Results: Socially disadvantaged mothers reported their overall experiences in WIC to be very positive. Lengthy waiting time during a WIC visit was identified as the most important barrier to par ticipation. Mothers believed strongly that it was the responsibility o f parents to get their children vaccinated, but that WIC staff and the primary care provider should work together to remind parents when vac cinations were due. Mothers expressed very positive attitudes toward t he linking of WIC and immunization activities. Telephone reminders and education were mentioned as the best ways to encourage mothers to get their child vaccinated on time. Immunization linkage activities and t he requirement that a parent report to a WIC center more frequently if the child was under-immunized were not mentioned as reasons for dropp ing out of the WIC program; indeed, more frequent visits to a WIC cent er were actually viewed as a potentially effective strategy by several mothers. Some mothers found obtaining immunizations and WIC services at the same time and place to be very convenient. There did not seem t o be any significant differences among ethnic groups in attitudes towa rd immunization linkage activities being performed in WIC. Conclusions : Mothers with preschool-age children enrolled in WIC feel that the li nkage of immunization activities with WIC services is a helpful way to improve the health of their children. This linkage was not identified as a contributing factor for leaving the WIC program.