Weiler P G, Stalker H P, Jennings S W, Fister W T
Pediatrics. 1979 Apr;63(4):584-90.
The background and rationale of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are reviewed. Problems concerning the implementation of the program and the need for evaluation are discussed. The authors selected anemia as a WIC program criterion to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The reasons for this selection are discussed. The study involves the evaluation of 37 of 311 infants who were enrolled in the WIC program of a local health department. Hemoglobin values were observed at certification and recertification and the expected change vs the observed change in hemoglobin during the six-month period was calculated. In addition to observing change in hemoglobin values, a cost analysis was done. Results showed 27 out of 37 infants had a positive increase in hemoglobin levels. Eight of the 37 infants had a negative hemoglobin level, whereas two of the 37 had a zero change. It is concluded that anemia as a criterion for the WIC program is cost effective if certain considerations and modifications in the anemia criteria are made. It is also pointed out that paired hemoglobin determinations at two separate points and time is the best assessment for changes in hemoglobin levels.
回顾了妇女、婴儿和儿童特别补充食品计划（WIC）的背景和基本原理。讨论了该计划实施过程中存在的问题以及评估的必要性。作者选择贫血作为WIC计划标准来评估该计划的有效性，并讨论了做出这一选择的原因。该研究涉及对当地卫生部门WIC计划登记的311名婴儿中的37名进行评估。在认证和重新认证时观察血红蛋白值，并计算六个月期间血红蛋白的预期变化与观察到的变化。除了观察血红蛋白值的变化外，还进行了成本分析。结果显示，37名婴儿中有27名血红蛋白水平呈正向增加。37名婴儿中有8名血红蛋白水平呈负向变化，而37名中有2名无变化。得出的结论是，如果对贫血标准进行某些考虑和修改，将贫血作为WIC计划的标准具有成本效益。还指出，在两个不同时间点进行配对血红蛋白测定是评估血红蛋白水平变化的最佳方法。
