The Role Nurses Can Play in Addressing and Preventing the Prevalence of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

Introduction: In 2016, 5,712 American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women and girls were reported missing in the United States. In Canada, 4% of the population is Indigenous, yet Indigenous females represent 50% of all sex trafficking victims. This systematic mixed-studies review examined the effects of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) to define a role for nurses.Methods: We used five databases with keywords, inclusion criteria, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.Results: Findings of 22 papers discuss: (a) demographic data; (b) factors that increase vulnerability of AI/AN women; and (c) how nurses can decrease the prevalence of MMIW.Discussion: Nurses are the first provider patients see when accessing care. Increasing knowledge about the impact of violence against AI/AN women and girls is the first step in identifying measures needed to address this public health concern.

Automated summary

This systematic mixed-studies review examines the effects of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the role of nurses in addressing this issue. The findings discuss the vulnerabilities faced by Indigenous women and girls, as well as the measures nurses can take to decrease the prevalence of MMIW.