Health management of Institutionalized Juvenile Delinquents: A Proposed Protocol

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is a critical problem that is becoming rampant in Egypt. Juvenile delinquency, also known as "juvenile offending", is participation in illegal behavior by minors who are younger than the statutory age of majority; any person between the ages of 7 to 18, and violates the law. Aim: This study aims to propose a protocol for health management of Institutionalized Juvenile Delinquents Design: a descriptive analytic study was used to conduct this study. Sample: A purposive sample of 318 juvenile delinquents (248 males, and 70 females) their ages ranged from 15 to 18 years admitted since not less than 3 months and carrying out legal punishing period. Setting: five Egyptian social care institutions El Marg ,El Agoza, Ain Shams, Kobry El Kobba, and Dar El Aman Social Care Institution. Tools: three tools were used for data collection. First tool: Self-administered Questionnaire form , Second tool: Physical examination sheet from head to toe, Third tool: An observational checklist. Results: results of this study indicated that, the majority of juvenile delinquents (78%) were males and 79.6% of them left their schools before admission; 83.3% of them were smokers and 54%out of them were drug users, they suffered many common health problems especially injuries and signs of somatic abuse like 51.3% wounds, 34.9% burns, and 50.6% fractures.; 42.8% had high antisocial behaviors. The majority of the institutions environment (80%) was insufficient security, also 80% had incomplete medical services Conclusion: the study concluded that the major factors related to those institutionalized juvenile delinquents were socio-economic factors and they suffered many physical, psychological and social health problems inside unsuitable rehabilitated institutions. Recommendations: the study recommended that ,the proposed protocol for health management of Institutionalized Juvenile Delinquents that’s evidence – based should be implemented and evaluated in relation to prevent health problems of Juvenile Delinquents.