An Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Human Trafficking Among Health Care Professionals and Students in Texas,...

Human trafficking results in negative health outcomes among survivors. However, a lack of awareness and understanding of human trafficking limits health care professionals' ability to provide appropriate care in primary and community care settings. We assessed the general understanding and awareness of human trafficking among students, staff, and faculty at The University of Texas at Austin.

We used self-report instruments in an online survey to collect data on demographic characteristics and responses to questions on human trafficking knowledge, awareness, and the needs of survivors. We summarized participants' knowledge, awareness of, training on, and exposure to institutional protocols related to human trafficking and examined subgroup differences. We also analyzed participants' perspectives on awareness, training, and protocols in responses to open-ended items.

Most respondents were female (80 of 85; 94.1%) and associated with the School of Nursing (84 of 85; 98.8%). The average for correct responses to knowledge of human trafficking was 70%. Few respondents (n = 11; 13%) had received at least 1 hour of training in human trafficking in the last year. Most respondents (n = 57; 67.1%) were unsure about ways to request training on human trafficking and whether their institution had any structure for addressing it. Not knowing how to assist human trafficking victims without putting them in danger was reported as difficult. A lack of knowledge and training was reported as a barrier to identifying victims.

Limited understanding and knowledge related to human trafficking and a lack of protocols for nursing professionals to address human trafficking are barriers to effective health care provision. Regular education for students and health care professionals would provide much-needed support for human trafficking survivors.