Knowledge Base of Nurses Before and After a Human Trafficking Continuing Education Course

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Human Trafficking Research

Background:

• Up to 88% of human trafficking victims encounter healthcare settings during their exploitation.
• Nurses are strategically positioned to identify victims but often lack adequate training.
• Insufficient knowledge hinders nurses' ability to assess and report suspected cases of human trafficking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a human trafficking continuing education course on nurses' knowledge and willingness to act.
• To address the gap in healthcare professional education regarding the identification of trafficked individuals.

Main Methods:

• Utilized pre- and post-course surveys to assess knowledge and attitudes.
• Data collected from participants of a human trafficking continuing education program.
• Analysis of survey responses to measure changes in knowledge and intent.

Main Results:

• Pre-course surveys revealed a significant deficit in baseline knowledge about human trafficking.
• Post-course surveys demonstrated a marked increase in participants' knowledge.
• Participants expressed a greater desire to apply learned information to identify trafficked individuals.

Conclusions:

• Continuing education is vital for equipping nurses with the necessary skills to identify and support human trafficking victims.
• Enhanced nurse education can significantly improve the detection and assistance of individuals subjected to forced servitude.
• Healthcare settings can become more effective in combating human trafficking through targeted educational interventions.