Food insecurity and food access among women in Northern New England during the perinatal period

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of food insecurity and food access among women in northern New England during the perinatal period. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive. SETTING: Hospital system in northern New England. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve pregnant women and two women who gave birth. METHODS: We interviewed participants during pregnancy and the postpartum period about their experiences of food insecurity, including screening, their willingness and ability to access food programs, and the extent to which their food needs were met through referrals. We analyzed interview transcripts to identify themes related to participants' experiences of food insecurity; food support, including screening and referral; and opportunities for improvement in current food support interventions. RESULTS: Most participants accepted being screened for food insecurity and were satisfied with the food distributed in their perinatal care settings. Food insecurity consistently occurred alongside general financial strain, housing insecurity, and transportation needs, which affirmed the interconnectedness of social determinants of health. Other co-occurring risks included intimate partner violence, substance use, and mental health challenges. Food receipt was facilitated by care team members who were knowledgeable about food distribution programs. Barriers to food receipt included challenges with enrolling in public assistance programs, poor awareness among participants of available resources, the persistence and unpredictability of food insecurity, and stigma. We identified three distinct themes that described participants' experiences with food insecurity during pregnancy and the postpartum period: Experience of Being Screened for Food Insecurity, Intersecting Social Needs, and Experience of Accessing Resources. CONCLUSION: These findings can be used to inform comprehensive food support programs that reflect the needs and values of women during the perinatal period. Interventions to screen and intervene for food insecurity during and after pregnancy align with the quality standards of The Joint Commission and should be integrated into nursing practice.