Health Status of Institutionalized Juvenile Delinquents

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is defined as any crime committed by children and adolescents under statutory age. A juvenile delinquent is one who is a minor with major problems. Generally, any person between the ages of 7 to 18, who violates the law, is considered as delinquent and persons above this age are considered as criminals (Siegel and Brandon, 2011). The most greatest risk of falling into juvenile delinquency are rapid population growth, the unavailability of family support services, unemployment, the decline in the authority of local communities, ineffective educational systems and discrimination against minority groups (Aaron and Dallaire, 2010). The number of children in especially difficult circumstances is estimated to have increased from 80 million to 150 million between 1992 and 2000 and from 150 million to more than 200 million between 2000 and 2010 all over the world (Harnsberger, 2011). In Egypt more than 25,202 juvenile delinquents involved 24,648 males and 554 females in custody, social care institutions, social offices and observation offices all over the country. There are only 3,570 juvenile delinquents in custody and social care institutions, 3,105 males and 465 females (Egyptian Ministry of Society Solidarity, 2012). In accordance to (World Health Organization, 2010) juvenile delinquents face several problems in their dealings with others inside the social institution for punishing and rehabilitation. Problems that face juvenile delinquents are divided into physical, psychological and social problems. Physical problems are such as acute illness, chronic physical conditions and communicable diseases. Psychological and mental problems as stress, transitory life style, poor relationships with others, child abuse, withdrawal and lying escape from the institution. Social problems as illiteracy, violent environment, neglect, smoking, discrimination, lack of accessible resources, physical and sexual assault.