Facilitators and Barriers in Obstetrics Care in the Identification of Sex-Trafficked Victims

Human trafficking is an emergent public health concern that, as noted by the National Institute of Justice (2021), receives attention and support from human rights advocates and law enforcement agencies. The trafficking of women in the sex industry is a growing health concern, as most victims are often unrecognized when seeking healthcare services. Sex-trafficked women suffer adverse health effects and often present to healthcare facilities while still under the control of their traffickers (Rapoza, 2022). A review of the literature revealed a deficit in clinicians' abilities to recognize this vulnerable population. This scholarly project aimed to determine how participation in an educational intervention affects providers’ and clinicians’ knowledge of the facilitators and barriers to identifying and intervening with pregnant sex-trafficking victims. The intervention included the implementation of an educational intervention to enhance knowledge. A pre and posttest design was used to measure a change in confidence, knowledge, and skills. A Likert survey to assess confidence and knowledge of sex trafficking was administered before and 30 days after the educational intervention. This project aimed to demonstrate that education increased confidence, knowledge, and skills among obstetric public health providers and clinicians regarding the identification of sex-trafficked victims.