Variation in uptake of healthy start food vouchers in the six health and social care partnerships with the greater Glasgow and Clyde health board

Ehsan Salim; Sonya Scott

doi:10.21767/2572-5483-C1-003

Variation in uptake of healthy start food vouchers in the six health and social care partnerships with the greater Glasgow and Clyde health board

9^th Edition of International Conference on Preventive Medicine & Public Health
July 16-17, 2018 London, UK

Ehsan Salim and Sonya Scott

University of Glasgow, Scotland

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Prev Med

DOI: 10.21767/2572-5483-C1-003

Abstract

This study assessed the difference in uptake levels of healthy start food vouchers, a means tested benefit that aims to support low income families afford nutritious food, between 6 health and community partnerships (HSCP) in greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC). Having observed variation our secondary aim was to explore possible reasons for this difference. Routinely collected healthy start data for the months of August to September 2017 was obtained from the UK Department of Health. After data cleaning and organization postcode sectors were matched up with their corresponding HSCPs in GGC. Analysis was then carried out to look for associations between uptake rates and various HSCP area-based characteristics. We were able to find for the first time large variations in uptake rates within GGC. Chisquare test showed a significant association between uptake and HSCP area. Trend analysis of uptake with area deprivation and resource allocation was also significant. Objective analysis of scatter-plots suggested that uptake increased with deprivation and resource allocation of the HSCP. Significant trends were found and the observed patterns suggested that the relationship between uptake rates and HSCP area is more complex than the geographical characteristics alone. We conclude that in order to fully understand the observed variation a more qualitative approach is required. We recommend that future studies need to look at the difference in management, awareness and experience between maternity teams in HSCPs. Subsequent studies would also be advised to look at larger numbers of HSCPs in order to objectively conclude if the trends seen here are present across the country.