Ayaa Siddig Abdelrahman Ali
University of Khartoum, Sudan
Title: The Nature and Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in a Sudanese Juvenile Correctional Facility
Biography
Biography: Ayaa Siddig Abdelrahman Ali
Abstract
Background: High morbidity of mental disorders among juvenile off enders has been confi rmed by several studies, thus challenging both the juvenile justice system and the mental health system. Data from developed countries may not refl ect the situation in lowincome countries and therefore cannot form a basis for intervention. No similar study has been done in Sudan.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among incarcerated youth in Al-Juref juvenile correctional facility.
Method: All juveniles (forty eight) were studied utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data was collected by the principal investigator using a socio-demographic questionnaire and the MINI-KID 6.0. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of social sciences program v.20.
Results: Most respondents were males (46) with a mean age of fi ft een (±1.6 years SD). Most were living with both parents (75%) and were school dropouts (41.7%). Th e majority were arrested for theft (33.3%) and rape (29.2%). Prevalence of psychiatric disorders was high (60.4%) with conduct disorder (CD) being the most common (47.9%), followed by anxiety disorders (31.1%) and major depressive disorder (14.6%). Comorbid psychiatric disorders rate was high (31%). Even aft er subtracting CD, prevalence was still
common (39%).
Conclusion & Recommendations: New information can help mental health providers and policy makers in the juvenile justice
system make eff ective interventions in provision of mental health services. I recommend clinical assessment for juveniles when they
appear at court and training of workers in the justice system on how to detect features of psychopathology.