App Usage Associated With Full Redemption of WIC Food Benefits: A Propensity Score Approach

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between WICShopper application (app) usage and full redemption of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food benefits. DesignA cross-sectional study. SettingWest Virginia WIC program. ParticipantsA total of 23,050 West Virginia WIC households in 2019. Main Outcome MeasuresFull redemptions were defined as the redemption rate of ≥ 90% for a given food benefit. AnalysisApp/non-app users were defined as households with someone using/not using the WICShopper app. Multivariate logistic regressions were applied. To address the potential self-selection bias in app usage, the propensity score (PS) of app usage was estimated. The regressions were rerun with the balanced sample by matching the PS. ResultsWith PS matching, the prevalence of full redemption at the household level was 7.2% for app users vs 4.7% for nonapp users (odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.40–1.92; P < 0.001). App users had a higher prevalence of full redemption in most food categories, even with PS matching. Conclusions and ImplicationsUse of the WICShopper app was associated with a higher prevalence of full redemptions in most food benefits after controlling the self-selection bias.