David Okech
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 196130 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | David Okech |
| NOMBRES | David |
| APELLIDO | Okech |
| FIRMA | OKECH D |
| AFILIACIONES | University of Georgia |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0078-5093 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 30 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 64 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 30 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2010 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 5 |
Financial Capability, Quality of Life, and Re-Trafficking Vulnerability Among Women Survivors of Human Trafficking in Central Uganda
Survivors of human trafficking in Uganda often face persistent economic insecurity and ongoing vulnerability that may undermine quality of life (QoL). Using data from a broader cross-sectional study conducted in January 2025, we examined associations between financial capability, re-trafficking vulnerability, and quality of life among 350 women survivors aged 18–35 receiving services at seven rehabilitation sites in Kampala. Multivariable linear …
Exploring Vulnerabilities
Using the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study examined factors contributing to children’s vulnerability to trafficking in Sierra Leone. Understanding these factors is critical for designing effective, multi-level interventions. We analyzed qualitative data from a mixed-methods prevalence estimation study (2020–2021) conducted in trafficking hotspot regions. Data included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with survivors, caregi…
An Empirical Comparison of a Traditional Strategy and Network Scale-Up Method for Prevalence Estimation of Child Trafficking in Sierra Leone
The goal of this paper is to compare a traditional survey method with the network scale-up method (NSUM) for the prevalence estimation of child trafficking in Sierra Leone in 2020. The traditional survey method involved a probability-based, stratified, and clustered multistage sampling design in which adult respondents in 3,070 households were interviewed about trafficking of children who reside in their household in three selected districts. Thi…
A comparison of top-coding strategies for aggregated relational data
Examining the Gaps in Existing Policies and Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking in Uganda
Prevalence Research in Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking Prevalence Research
Unveiling child trafficking
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included the goal of combating child labor and human trafficking, but regional variations complicate efforts to address these problems. In Sierra Leone, the government has taken steps to address these issues, but challenges remain, particularly in relation to access to education, in rural areas, and for young girls. This article examines local stakeholder understandings of child trafficking, and the distin…
Do Social Service Interventions for Human Trafficking Survivors Work? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Human trafficking leaves victims with long-term social, psychological, and health effects. Research in this area is still nascent, and there are limited studies that show the effectiveness of existing services for survivors. This study fills the gaps in knowledge of the effectiveness of existing programs through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Inclusion and exclusion criteria retained 15 studies using the preferred reporting …
Stakeholder perceptions of gaps and solutions in addressing child trafficking
Violence Increases Psychological Distress Among Women Trafficking Survivors in Ghana
Human trafficking is a crime that is often shaped by violence, particularly for women who are trafficked. Additionally, trafficking survivors often report severe psychological distress, though research on the causes of this psychological distress is lacking, as there is little longitudinal data available on trafficking survivors. Informed by past literature on the links between violence and mental health among other traumatized groups of women, w…
"The Critical Role of the 4th "P
Utility of Structural Equation Modeling in Social Work Research
The use of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques in social work has increased over the last two decades. We therefore conducted a systematic review to understand the extent to which SEM is utilized in social work research, given that statistical training is now becoming a part of social work doctoral education. For our review, we utilized the PRISMA method and relied on the Web of Knowledge database. Social work articles published between…
Social exclusion, mental health, and social well-being among African immigrants in the United States
This study examined the effects of social exclusion (socio-cultural and structural-economic exclusion) on the mental health and social well-being of African immigrants in the United States ( N = 409). We found that social exclusion increased depression and anxiety symptoms, decreased societal trust, increased subjective isolation, and increased worries about one’s safety among African immigrants. The results further indicated strong negative effe…
Violence predicts physical health consequences of human trafficking
A Qualitative Analysis of the Intervention Experiences of Human Trafficking Survivors and At-risk Women in Ghana
This study documents the positive and negative intervention experiences of 37 trafficked and at-risk women from a residential care facility in Accra, Ghana. In-depth interviews were analyzed with the Atlas T.I. software using a primarily inductive approach in thematic analysis. Participants recommended provision of necessities, psychosocial support, continued support, and provision of financial capital to start a micro-business after program comp…
The effects of sociodemographic variables on the economic behaviour of poorer households in the US and Kenya
This study assessed the economic behaviour of 383 lower-income households in Kenya and the US. Using a two-group confirmatory factor analysis, a moderation effect of gender on financial capability by age was found in the US group. Measurement and structural equivalence across groups were established. Specifically, younger females indicated higher levels of financial capability than younger males, while older males reported higher levels of financ…
Social Support, Dysfunctional Coping, and Community Reintegration as Predictors of PTSD Among Human Trafficking Survivors
Human trafficking exerts psychological effects on survivors that persist after intervention, and even after community reintegration. Effects include anxiety, depression, alienation, disorientation, aggression, suicidal ideation, attention deficit, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Community supports and coping mechanisms may mitigate these effects. The report presented here is part of a long-term program of research to develop and test ev…
Recent Developments in Structural Equation Modelling Research in Social Work Journals
The use of various structural equation modelling methods in social work research continues to expand. As more social work researchers become acquainted with structural equation modelling (SEM), there has been an increase in the application of the methods in social work academic journals. The study reported here is a systematic review of the literature covering SEM studies in social work journals that were published between February 2007 and March…
Socio-Economic Inequality, Human Trafficking, and the Global Slave Trade
The purpose of this paper is to discuss human trafficking within the broader framework of socio-economic inequality. The presence of socio-economic inequality in the world creates a system where those in power very easily dominate and take advantage of those people without power. One of the most serious contemporary effects of inequalities between and within nations is the phenomenon of global sex trade or human trafficking for the purposes of se…
MSW Students’ Motivations for Taking an International Social Work Elective Course
This article presents motivating factors for taking an international social work course for a sample of graduate students in the United States. Literature on international education, including courses and international field placements, provides a framework for the study. Qualitative themes showed that students were motivated primarily as a result of prior international experience, or the desire for such, as well as a wish to understand the pheno…
The independent effects of socio-demographic and programmatic factors on economic strain among parents in a Child Savings Accounts program
Human rights, cultural practices, and state policies
Effective practice in a global world requires knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures. Most social workers around the world are committed to values and policies that enhance the well‐being of especially vulnerable populations and that protect their human rights. However, not all cultural practices or policies place the same value on human rights and the protection of vulnerable populations, a situation that may result in conflicts for soc…
Efficacy and agency among poor families with and without children
Families with children and living in poverty are vulnerable to decreased control over their lives and the ability to act in self‐interest. While having children may reduce efficacy among these families, their presence may also, in turn, increase their resilience. Using cross‐sectional data from n = 194 poor families in Southeastern USA, this study compares the constructs of self‐efficacy and agency between families with and without children. Resu…
The Effects of Economic Pressure on the Resilience and Strengths of Individuals Living in Extreme Poverty
Economic pressure has negative effects on families living in poverty that require much resilience and strength to cope. Although the strengths perspective upholds many human service values, literature on how it can be used to build resilience of these families is scarce. This exploratory study reports on the relationship between the constructs of economic pressure and resilience among N = 194 individuals living in extreme poverty. The authors fou…
Human trafficking
The trafficking of humans is a serious issue. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is the main legislative effort in the US that addresses this problem. Based on social work values, the article provides an assessment of the TVPA and suggests that service provision and victim identification need to be strengthened to better serve human trafficking victims. Global trends, efforts, and limitations in reducing trafficking are discussed. Spec…
Socio-Economic Inequality, Human Trafficking, and the Global Slave Trade
The purpose of this paper is to discuss human trafficking within the broader framework of socio-economic inequality. The presence of socio-economic inequality in the world creates a system where those in power very easily dominate and take advantage of those people without power. One of the most serious contemporary effects of inequalities between and within nations is the phenomenon of global sex trade or human trafficking for the purposes of se…
Human rights, cultural practices, and state policies
Effective practice in a global world requires knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures. Most social workers around the world are committed to values and policies that enhance the well‐being of especially vulnerable populations and that protect their human rights. However, not all cultural practices or policies place the same value on human rights and the protection of vulnerable populations, a situation that may result in conflicts for soc…
The Effects of Economic Pressure on the Resilience and Strengths of Individuals Living in Extreme Poverty
Economic pressure has negative effects on families living in poverty that require much resilience and strength to cope. Although the strengths perspective upholds many human service values, literature on how it can be used to build resilience of these families is scarce. This exploratory study reports on the relationship between the constructs of economic pressure and resilience among N = 194 individuals living in extreme poverty. The authors fou…
Social exclusion, mental health, and social well-being among African immigrants in the United States
This study examined the effects of social exclusion (socio-cultural and structural-economic exclusion) on the mental health and social well-being of African immigrants in the United States ( N = 409). We found that social exclusion increased depression and anxiety symptoms, decreased societal trust, increased subjective isolation, and increased worries about one’s safety among African immigrants. The results further indicated strong negative effe…
Efficacy and agency among poor families with and without children
Families with children and living in poverty are vulnerable to decreased control over their lives and the ability to act in self‐interest. While having children may reduce efficacy among these families, their presence may also, in turn, increase their resilience. Using cross‐sectional data from n = 194 poor families in Southeastern USA, this study compares the constructs of self‐efficacy and agency between families with and without children. Resu…
Violence predicts physical health consequences of human trafficking
Stakeholder perceptions of gaps and solutions in addressing child trafficking
Parental Self-Efficacy and Joining a Savings Program for Children’s Education
Objectives: Using baseline survey data, the study examined self-efficacy of 381 lower-income parents who had opportunities to build financial assets for their children by opening college savings accounts in a human service agency. Methods: Of the study sample, 62% of the parents decided to open accounts while 38% did not. Structural equation modeling for multiple group models was performed. Results: There were few demographic differences between …
"The Critical Role of the 4th "P
Recent Developments in Structural Equation Modelling Research in Social Work Journals
The use of various structural equation modelling methods in social work research continues to expand. As more social work researchers become acquainted with structural equation modelling (SEM), there has been an increase in the application of the methods in social work academic journals. The study reported here is a systematic review of the literature covering SEM studies in social work journals that were published between February 2007 and March…
Evaluating the Effects of Child Savings Accounts Program Participation on Parental Well-Being
Objectives: Using baseline and second wave data, the study evaluated the impact of child savings accounts participation on parenting stress, personal mastery, and economic strain with N = 381 lower income parents who decided to join and those who did not join in a child development savings account program. Methods: Structural equation modeling for multiple group and time models was performed. Results: The degree of parenting stress at the first m…
Early savings for children's higher education
Parental Self-Efficacy and Joining a Savings Program for Children’s Education
Objectives: Using baseline survey data, the study examined self-efficacy of 381 lower-income parents who had opportunities to build financial assets for their children by opening college savings accounts in a human service agency. Methods: Of the study sample, 62% of the parents decided to open accounts while 38% did not. Structural equation modeling for multiple group models was performed. Results: There were few demographic differences between …
Early savings for children's higher education
Human trafficking
The trafficking of humans is a serious issue. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is the main legislative effort in the US that addresses this problem. Based on social work values, the article provides an assessment of the TVPA and suggests that service provision and victim identification need to be strengthened to better serve human trafficking victims. Global trends, efforts, and limitations in reducing trafficking are discussed. Spec…
Human rights, cultural practices, and state policies
Effective practice in a global world requires knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures. Most social workers around the world are committed to values and policies that enhance the well‐being of especially vulnerable populations and that protect their human rights. However, not all cultural practices or policies place the same value on human rights and the protection of vulnerable populations, a situation that may result in conflicts for soc…
Efficacy and agency among poor families with and without children
Families with children and living in poverty are vulnerable to decreased control over their lives and the ability to act in self‐interest. While having children may reduce efficacy among these families, their presence may also, in turn, increase their resilience. Using cross‐sectional data from n = 194 poor families in Southeastern USA, this study compares the constructs of self‐efficacy and agency between families with and without children. Resu…
The Effects of Economic Pressure on the Resilience and Strengths of Individuals Living in Extreme Poverty
Economic pressure has negative effects on families living in poverty that require much resilience and strength to cope. Although the strengths perspective upholds many human service values, literature on how it can be used to build resilience of these families is scarce. This exploratory study reports on the relationship between the constructs of economic pressure and resilience among N = 194 individuals living in extreme poverty. The authors fou…
Evaluating the Effects of Child Savings Accounts Program Participation on Parental Well-Being
Objectives: Using baseline and second wave data, the study evaluated the impact of child savings accounts participation on parenting stress, personal mastery, and economic strain with N = 381 lower income parents who decided to join and those who did not join in a child development savings account program. Methods: Structural equation modeling for multiple group and time models was performed. Results: The degree of parenting stress at the first m…
Reporting Multiple-Group Mean and Covariance Structure Across Occasions With Structural Equation Modeling
Objectives: Using baseline and second wave data, the study evaluated the measurement and structural properties of parenting stress, personal mastery, and economic strain with N = 381 lower income parents who decided to join and those who did not join in a child development savings account program. Methods: Structural equation modeling mean and covariance structures was performed across groups and occasion was performed. Results: Measurement invar…
The independent effects of socio-demographic and programmatic factors on economic strain among parents in a Child Savings Accounts program
Socio-Economic Inequality, Human Trafficking, and the Global Slave Trade
The purpose of this paper is to discuss human trafficking within the broader framework of socio-economic inequality. The presence of socio-economic inequality in the world creates a system where those in power very easily dominate and take advantage of those people without power. One of the most serious contemporary effects of inequalities between and within nations is the phenomenon of global sex trade or human trafficking for the purposes of se…
MSW Students’ Motivations for Taking an International Social Work Elective Course
This article presents motivating factors for taking an international social work course for a sample of graduate students in the United States. Literature on international education, including courses and international field placements, provides a framework for the study. Qualitative themes showed that students were motivated primarily as a result of prior international experience, or the desire for such, as well as a wish to understand the pheno…
Recent Developments in Structural Equation Modelling Research in Social Work Journals
The use of various structural equation modelling methods in social work research continues to expand. As more social work researchers become acquainted with structural equation modelling (SEM), there has been an increase in the application of the methods in social work academic journals. The study reported here is a systematic review of the literature covering SEM studies in social work journals that were published between February 2007 and March…
Social Support, Dysfunctional Coping, and Community Reintegration as Predictors of PTSD Among Human Trafficking Survivors
Human trafficking exerts psychological effects on survivors that persist after intervention, and even after community reintegration. Effects include anxiety, depression, alienation, disorientation, aggression, suicidal ideation, attention deficit, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Community supports and coping mechanisms may mitigate these effects. The report presented here is part of a long-term program of research to develop and test ev…
A Qualitative Analysis of the Intervention Experiences of Human Trafficking Survivors and At-risk Women in Ghana
This study documents the positive and negative intervention experiences of 37 trafficked and at-risk women from a residential care facility in Accra, Ghana. In-depth interviews were analyzed with the Atlas T.I. software using a primarily inductive approach in thematic analysis. Participants recommended provision of necessities, psychosocial support, continued support, and provision of financial capital to start a micro-business after program comp…
The effects of sociodemographic variables on the economic behaviour of poorer households in the US and Kenya
This study assessed the economic behaviour of 383 lower-income households in Kenya and the US. Using a two-group confirmatory factor analysis, a moderation effect of gender on financial capability by age was found in the US group. Measurement and structural equivalence across groups were established. Specifically, younger females indicated higher levels of financial capability than younger males, while older males reported higher levels of financ…
Social exclusion, mental health, and social well-being among African immigrants in the United States
This study examined the effects of social exclusion (socio-cultural and structural-economic exclusion) on the mental health and social well-being of African immigrants in the United States ( N = 409). We found that social exclusion increased depression and anxiety symptoms, decreased societal trust, increased subjective isolation, and increased worries about one’s safety among African immigrants. The results further indicated strong negative effe…
Violence predicts physical health consequences of human trafficking
Utility of Structural Equation Modeling in Social Work Research
The use of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques in social work has increased over the last two decades. We therefore conducted a systematic review to understand the extent to which SEM is utilized in social work research, given that statistical training is now becoming a part of social work doctoral education. For our review, we utilized the PRISMA method and relied on the Web of Knowledge database. Social work articles published between…
Unveiling child trafficking
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included the goal of combating child labor and human trafficking, but regional variations complicate efforts to address these problems. In Sierra Leone, the government has taken steps to address these issues, but challenges remain, particularly in relation to access to education, in rural areas, and for young girls. This article examines local stakeholder understandings of child trafficking, and the distin…
Do Social Service Interventions for Human Trafficking Survivors Work? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Human trafficking leaves victims with long-term social, psychological, and health effects. Research in this area is still nascent, and there are limited studies that show the effectiveness of existing services for survivors. This study fills the gaps in knowledge of the effectiveness of existing programs through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Inclusion and exclusion criteria retained 15 studies using the preferred reporting …
Stakeholder perceptions of gaps and solutions in addressing child trafficking
Violence Increases Psychological Distress Among Women Trafficking Survivors in Ghana
Human trafficking is a crime that is often shaped by violence, particularly for women who are trafficked. Additionally, trafficking survivors often report severe psychological distress, though research on the causes of this psychological distress is lacking, as there is little longitudinal data available on trafficking survivors. Informed by past literature on the links between violence and mental health among other traumatized groups of women, w…
"The Critical Role of the 4th "P
An Empirical Comparison of a Traditional Strategy and Network Scale-Up Method for Prevalence Estimation of Child Trafficking in Sierra Leone
The goal of this paper is to compare a traditional survey method with the network scale-up method (NSUM) for the prevalence estimation of child trafficking in Sierra Leone in 2020. The traditional survey method involved a probability-based, stratified, and clustered multistage sampling design in which adult respondents in 3,070 households were interviewed about trafficking of children who reside in their household in three selected districts. Thi…
A comparison of top-coding strategies for aggregated relational data
Psychology (19 obras) · Sex work and related issues (13 obras) · Political science (12 obras) · Sociology (12 obras) · Human trafficking (7 obras) · Medicine (7 obras) · Social Psychology (7 obras) · Economics (6 obras) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (6 obras) · Homelessness and Social Issues (6 obras)