Mental health and substance abuse problems among Juvenile offenders at Getathuru children reception center & rehabilitation school Nairobi; Kenya

Abstract

Background: Researchers, clinicians, and juvenile justice program administrators have known of the link between drug use (alcohol use), mental health problems and juvenile crime. In many communities, the majorities of juveniles currently entering the justice system are drug users or have mental health problems Objective: This study provides an overview of the prevalence, diagnosis of mentaldisorders among juvenile offenders at Getathuru children reception centre & rehabilitation school Nairobi; Kenya. METHODS: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of all sentenced adolescents ages 13-18 years incarcerated at Getathuru child ren reception centre & rehabilitation school. The selected sample constituted adolescents who answered questions objectively without help of their guardian by filling out Sociodemographic, reason who admission at the centre and MINI KID questionnaires RESULTS: Most (54.6%) of the youth were admitted at the centre for care and protection. The prevalence of mental disorders among these juvenile offenders varied significantly in the rates of prevalence found, with results showing that this population had high rates of mental disorders; 41.2% had major depressive disorder current episode, 22.7% had high suicide risk behaviour, 81.4% had Post Traumatic stress disorder current 27.8% had alcohol dependence and 41.2% drug dependence. The identification of mood disorders is critical because these disorders are a leading cause of suicide among adolescents and because mood disorders may contribute to or exacerbate delinquent and disruptive behaviors