Graduation Semester and Year

Spring 2025

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Deborah Behan

Second Advisor

Jessica Smith

Third Advisor

Yungfei Kao

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global issue, yet healthcare providers, including nurses, often face challenges in identifying victims. This study aimed to examine and describe nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward human trafficking, focusing on the differences across clinical areas, demographics, and geographical locations. Utilizing a descriptive comparative research design, data was collected through an anonymous online survey given to registered nurses in various clinical settings. This study used a mixed effects model to account for both fixed effects, such as clinical area, gender, age, and geographical location, and random effects to address variability withing and across groups. By analyzing the differences between groups, the study identified gaps in knowledge and attitudes that may inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving screening practices for human trafficking victims. The findings of this study will provide a better understanding of how individual and group factors influence nurses’ intention to screen patients for human trafficking, ultimately increasing the rate of victim’s identification in the healthcare setting.

Keywords

Human trafficking, Nurse knowledge, Nurse attitudes, Screening practices, Theory of Planned Behavior, Healthcare provider awareness, Victim identification, Mixed effects model, Nursing Bias

Disciplines

Critical Care Nursing | Family Practice Nursing | Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing | Nursing Administration | Other Nursing | Pediatric Nursing | Perioperative, Operating Room and Surgical Nursing | Public Health and Community Nursing

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Available for download on Friday, June 04, 2027

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