180937 Creation of a data collection tool to allow analysis of prevalence and predictors of sexual assault in the Indianapolis metro-area

Monday, October 27, 2008

Alison L. Peaper, MPH Candidate , Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Jill C. Layton, MPH , Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Margo Foreman, MPH Candidate , Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Musu Sesay, MPH Candidate , Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Joan Henkle, DNS, RN , School of Medicine Department of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
Rebecca Navarro, RN, SANE , Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Background: Sexual assault is a serious public health problem in Indiana. The six Centers of Hope (COH) in the Indianapolis metro-area take care of the physical and emotional needs of sexual assault victims as well as collect forensic evidence. Because no unified intake form or data collection tool existed, much of the potential information about prevalence and predictors of sexual assault and quality control data were lost.

Objectives: The purpose of the project was to create a central database tool that would 1) unify data collection between all six centers, 2) be user-friendly, and 3) provide new information about sexual assault trends.

Methods: Each of the COH's previous data intake forms and collection tools were analyzed for commonalities. Other state's tools were analyzed via the internet. The data collection tool was created using Microsoft Excel 2003.

Results: The new database tool includes all necessary Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) grant, intake form, and quality assurance (QA) information. The necessary data is totaled into a Grand Total Sheet displaying monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and yearly data. Data from multiple centers can be merged and analyzed for trends. The QA data allows coordinators to assess their center's ability to meet patient needs.

Discussion: Proper data collection is vital to program planning and policy making. The new COH database can be used to: link law enforcement and social service agencies for proper tracking of sexual assault; enhance the State's ability to conduct meaningful analysis of sexual assault incidents; solicit funding for sexual assault programs.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) recognize the value of unified data collection tools for use in public health surveillance; 2) describe how the database tool can be used to link public agencies, enhance analysis and solicit funding for sexual assault programs; 3) identify the types of data collected by sexual assault nurse examiners; and 4) describe how that data can be used to determine trends in the prevalence of sexual assault in a metro-area.

Keywords: Data Collection, Sexual Assault

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted the research, created the data collection tool and wrote up the final report for a graduate level MPH course at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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