A qualitative exploration of Spanish-speaking Latina women’s experiences participating in WIC before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Over one third of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants identify as Latino, but participation has been declining and individuals that predominantly speak Spanish face additional barriers to participation. During the pandemic, there were changes in WIC eligibility and benefits that may have been differentially accessible to Spanish-speaking Latina participants due to factors such as language barriers and lack of awareness of changes. Understanding Spanish-speaking Latinas’ experiences with the WIC program generally and during the pandemic can inform efforts to equitably implement future emergency food response policies and improve the WIC program and Latina participant enrollment more broadly. Objective This study aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of Spanish-speaking Latina WIC participants with the WIC program generally and with pandemic-related policy changes made to the WIC program. Design Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted virtually in Spanish in August 2022 using a semi-structured guide. Participants/ setting Study participants were 18 Spanish-speaking Latina adult WIC participants living in North Carolina recruited using convenience sampling. Analysis All interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded in Spanish. Thematic analysis with inductive coding was used to derive key themes. Results Perceptions about the WIC program in this sample were mixed. Participants felt positively about the healthfulness of foods included in the WIC food packages but expressed concern about the monthly benefit amounts being too low and the cultural appropriateness of food options. Pandemic policy changes such as remote appointments and the CVB increase were positively perceived; however, barriers to using benefits during this time included limited communication from WIC agencies, food shortages, and concerns about not being granted U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status due to use of WIC (i.e., public charge). Social networks played an important role in learning about and enrolling in WIC and navigating food shortages during the pandemic. Conclusions Concerns about the cultural appropriateness of foods provided, communication challenges, and public charge emphasize the need for resources dedicated in the WIC program to improving Spanish-speaking Latina women’s experiences with WIC.