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.