Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Missing and murdered Indian women in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2020) Cleavenger, Joyce Mabel; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Susan LuparellProblem. Violence against women is more widespread and severe among American Indian women than among other North American women. Statistics reveal that American Indian and Alaska Native women experience ten times the murder rate of the national average and the highest lifetime rape (27.5%) prevalence in relation to all other ethnicities (14-21%). It is further estimated that three in five AI/AN women will be victims of domestic violence. There is a reason to believe that AI/AN women who are missing may be victims of human trafficking. Evidence suggests that chronic poverty, rape, homelessness, childhood abuse, and racism all play a part in human trafficking. Purpose. Nurse practitioners are a critical workforce in screening and early intervention for AI/AN women as these high-risk women often live in rural and isolated places where the safety net of police, social workers, support groups and safe houses are limited. The purpose of this project was to 1) explore nurse practitioners' knowledge and perceived educational needs related to Montana murdered and missing Indian women, and 2) provide appropriate follow up education with participants based on the findings. Methods. A convenience sample of ten Cascade County nurse practitioners with AI/AN women in their client panel participated in a semi-structured interview. A descriptive analysis of the transcribed interviews revealed gaps in what this sample of primary care providers knew about interventions for AI/AN women at risk for or who have experienced violence. Conclusions. The study produced updated recommendations on screening and referrals for Cascade County nurse practitioners.to use with clients. The results also suggest a need for the State Board of Nursing to offer continuing education on Montana's missing and murdered Indian women. It was also suggested the importance of sharing information on missing and murdered Indian women at one of the nurse practitioners' conferences.Item Human trafficking: what is the role of the healthcare professional?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2018) Jennings, Melissa Rae; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Alice RunningThe idea of this professional project originated after a learning-needs assessment was performed by the education department on the Labor and Delivery/Mother Newborn unit at a healthcare facility in Montana. Information obtained from the learning-needs assessment indicated that the staff wanted more information on human trafficking in the healthcare setting. A literature review was completed regarding human trafficking in the healthcare setting and the evidence showed that healthcare professionals are not adequately trained in identification of a human-trafficking victim, rescuing a victim, or resource utilization for suspected victims. An educational presentation was developed and learning objectives were identified. The goal of the project was to increase staff awareness regarding human-trafficking victims, increase confidence in the ability to identify a trafficked victim, and provide staff with resources in the event that they encounter a human-trafficking victim. A pretest to assess knowledge of the topic was given immediately prior to the presentation and a posttest was given immediately after the presentation to assess attainment of learning objectives. Results showed an increased awareness of this topic post presentation and staff felt more confident in identifying a human-trafficking victim. Staff were given resources to utilize at the end of the presentation to assist them in identifying potential victims and use for referral purposes on their unit. Although this was one area to increase awareness of the problem of human trafficking, there continues to be a need for protocol development for healthcare providers, collaboration amongst law enforcement, service providers, and private organizations and increased research regarding this topic.