Dataset Information

Validation of a screening tool for labor and sex trafficking among emergency department patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Patients with labor and sex trafficking experiences seek healthcare while and after being trafficked. Their trafficking experiences are often unrecognized by clinicians who lack a validated tool to systematically screen for trafficking. We aimed to derive and validate a brief, comprehensive trafficking screening tool for use in healthcare settings.

Methods

Patients were randomly selected to participate in this prospective study based on time of arrival. Data collectors administered 5 dichotomous index questions and a reference standard trafficking assessment tool that requires 30 to 60 minutes to administer. Data collection was from June 2016 to January 2021. Data from patients in 5 New York City (NYC) emergency departments (EDs) were used for tool psychometric derivation, and data from patients in a Fort Worth ED were used for external validation. Clinically stable ED adults (aged ≥18 years) were eligible to participate. Candidate questions were selected from the Trafficking Victim Identification Tool (TVIT). The study outcome measurement was a determination of a participant having a lifetime experience of labor and/or sex trafficking based on the interpretation of the reference standard interview, the TVIT.

Results

Overall, 4127 ED patients were enrolled. In the derivation group, the reference standard identified 36 (1.1%) as positive for a labor and/or sex trafficking experience. In the validation group, 12 (1.4%) were positive by the reference standard. Rapid Appraisal for Trafficking (RAFT) is a new 4-item trafficking screening tool: in the derivation group, RAFT was 89% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI], 79%-99%) and 74% specific (95% CI, 73%-76%) and in the external validation group, RAFT was 100% sensitive (95% CI, 100%-100%) and 61% specific (95% CI, 56%-65%).

Conclusions

The rapid, 4-item RAFT screening tool demonstrated good sensitivity compared with the existing, resource-intensive reference standard tool. RAFT may enhance the detection of human trafficking in EDs. Additional multicenter studies and research on RAFT's implementation are needed.

SUBMITTER: Chisolm-Straker M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8510141 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Validation of a screening tool for labor and sex trafficking among emergency department patients.

Chisolm-Straker Makini M Singer Elizabeth E Strong David D Loo George T GT Rothman Emily F EF Clesca Cindy C d'Etienne James J Alanis Naomi N Richardson Lynne D LD

Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open 20211012 5

<h4>Objective</h4>Patients with labor and sex trafficking experiences seek healthcare while and after being trafficked. Their trafficking experiences are often unrecognized by clinicians who lack a validated tool to systematically screen for trafficking. We aimed to derive and validate a brief, comprehensive trafficking screening tool for use in healthcare settings.<h4>Methods</h4>Patients were randomly selected to participate in this prospective study based on time of arrival. Data collectors a ...[more]

PMID: 34667976

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Dataset Information

Validation of a screening tool for labor and sex trafficking among emergency department patients.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Validation of a screening tool for labor and sex trafficking among emergency department patients.

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