program: 32 per cent participated for 0-40 per cent of their
pregnancy; 40 per cent participated for 41-70 per cent; 20 per
cent participated for 71-100 per cent; and 8 per cent had
unknown gestations.
The results for duration in the WIC prenatal program by
number of months are presented in Table 4. Increased
duration in WIC is associated with enhanced pregnancy
outcomes. In particular, increased duration is significantly
associated with increases in mean birthweight and gestational
age, and decreases in the incidence of low birthweight,
prematurity, small for gestational age (SGA), and neonatal
deaths. The findings are strongest for the 7-9 month participants.
It would appear that the reduction in the incidence of
some of the poorer marginal pregnancy outcomes (LBW and
neonatal mortality) is significant from 4-6 months of participation,
while enhancement of mean birth characteristics