Prevalence and Correlates of Distruptive Behaviour Disorders in Youths in a Juvenile Borstal Institution

Abstract

Background: Health care in juvenile justice system has been considered inadequate. Youths with disruptive behaviour disorder have an increased risk of causing problems within families, schools and communities. This poses a challenge for the juvenile system and after release, the public mental health system. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of disruptive behaviour disorder in a Borstal institution. Method: The study was a crosssectional, descriptive report of 53 youths at the Borstal Institution in Ilorin, Kwara State. They were interviewed using MINI-KID. Results: The mean age was 17.3 ± 2.1 years, 52.8% were between 11-14 years of age and 15.1%, 64.2% and 60.4% had ADHD, CD and oppositional defiant behaviour disorder respectively. Age and parents’ marital status were significant correlates. Conclusion: This study showed that juvenile detainees were likely to have psychiatric disorders, among which are the disruptive behaviour disorders. Recommended is collaboration between mental health professionals and the Juvenile system. Keywords: - Disruptive Behavioural disorder, Correlates Juvenile offenders, Inmates, Borstal institution.