NCJ Number
118565
Date Published
Unknown
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report, based solely on the health of juveniles in correctional facilities, highlights the results of several studies that document juvenile inmate health needs.
Abstract
Based on the studies surveyed, findings pertain to juvenile health in the areas of seizure disorders, gastrointestinal problems, sexually transmissible diseases, musculoskeletal problems, skin problems, trauma, alcohol-drug abuse, dental problems, and learning disabilities. Findings indicate that 2.9 percent of a sample of 749 juvenile males were receiving anticonvulsant medications, and reports of the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders involved 0.8 percent among 391 males. Figures on sexually transmissible diseases were not relatively high given that five sexually transmissible diseases are currently epidemic in the United States. Musculoskeletal problems varied from 0.3 percent to 4.1 percent in juvenile inmate samples, and skin problems varied from 4.6 to 25.3 percent. In one study, 64 percent of a sample of 390 juveniles evidenced trauma. Alcohol abuse ranged from 2.6 percent to 12.1 percent of samples surveyed. Dental problems were present in variations from 0.5 percent to 26.6 percent. A General Accounting Office report concluded that 25 percent of institutionalized juveniles had learning disabilities. 53 footnotes, 19 references.