Comparison of Social and Demographic Factors of Adolescent Boys Sentenced for Committing Sexual Offenses With Those of Non-sexual Offenders at Borstal Centres in Kenya

Abstract

Introduction Adolescents commit various types of offences, both non-sexual and sexual offences. It is not very clear whether there are peculiar social and demographic differences between adolescent sexual offenders and non-sexual offenders. Objective The aim of this study was to compare social and demographic factors of adolescents sentenced for committing sexual offenses with those of adolescent non-sexual offenders in borstal centres in Kenya. Materials and Methods This study conducted a comparative analysis of social and demographic factors of adolescents sentenced for committing sexual offenses to those of adolescent non-sexual offenders in borstal centres in Kenya. The study population is adolescents of ages 15 to 18 years. Quantitative data was collected through an interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including mean and proportions were computed. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to establish the association between the dependent variable (Commission of crime i.e. Sexual or otherwise) and independent variables. Finally, unadjusted and adjusted Odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval were estimated. Results The study established that most of the incarcerated adolescents were 17 years old, affiliated to the Christianity religion and were from families with both parents. Besides, most had primary level of education and had a history of alcohol use. The study results determined that age of the adolescents, their religion and family structure did not have a significant association with the type of offense they had been incarcerated for (p > 0.05). Moreover, the study established no significant association between running away from home, use of alcohol by the incarcerated adolescents, abuse of alcohol by parents / guardian, use of recreational drugs by parents /....................................................................................................................