A Community Health Worker (CHW) Delivered Intervention for DNTs in India: Baseline Study

• In Event: Global Trafficking Networks and Community Interventions

Abstract

Overview: Denotified Tribes (DNTs) in India face systemic discrimination and heightened vulnerability to human trafficking due to poverty, stigma, and limited economic opportunities. Methods: This baseline study (N=1,086) employed a cluster randomized trial design across two regions to examine exploitation patterns and inform a Community Health Worker (CHW) and Community Mobilizer (CM) intervention. Data collection utilized household surveys with participants aged 18-45, covering demographics, employment, exploitation indicators, and health outcomes.
Results: Descriptive analysis revealed significant regional differences in exploitation rates, with the North experiencing substantially higher rates of coercive recruitment, employment penalties, and degrading conditions. Multivariate regression analyses found that educational attainment demonstrated consistent protective effects across multiple exploitation forms, while distance to healthcare facilities increased exploitation risk. Participation in government employment programs significantly reduced exploitation risk. ICC analysis indicated substantial hamlet-level variation in exploitation rates, with site differences explaining a significant proportion of variance.
Conclusions: These findings identify key protective and risk factors that can guide interventions to reduce trafficking and exploitation vulnerability among DNT communities.

Authors

• Stephen Abeyta, New York University

• Lauren N. Moton, New York University

• Meredith Dank, New York University

• Sheldon Zhang, University of Massachusetts Lowell