Psycho-Behavioral and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Juvenile Delinquency in Wasit Province at 2016 To 2020

BACKGROUND: one of the serious behavioral problems that
affect youth health mentally, physically and socially is Juvenile delinquency. The act by a juvenile is considered delinquency if it is considered a crime when committed by an adult, as well as illegal acts because of offenders age.
OBJECTIVE: Is to determine the psycho-behavioral and
socio-economic profile of juvenile offenders in Wasit Province.
STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional hospital-based study
targeted all delinquents (n=510) who referred by criminal
courts to psychiatric unit for personality study using ICD-10
clinical based interview during 2016 to 2020. Data collected
from files of offenders by a routine interviewing (with highly
secured information).
RESULTS: The mean age ±SD of the indicted was 17.9±2.9
years, male youths consist 96%, with a history of low
socioeconomic status, 74% of them lived within family size of
≥7 members; 50% rank in 1st. to 3rd. in among all siblings in
their families; 17% losses their fathers. Of total sample, one
half of offenders presented with school dropout and 44%
engaged in premature labor. Most of youth presented with
good mental health, sometimes they appear with consistent
personality only 19 (4%) of them presented with speech and
movement disorder, and unstable and uncooperative
personality. Of 290 delinquents; 108 (37%) were tobacco
smoker and 43 (15%) presented with tattoo. Dropout offenders
presented with fourfold smoking and tattoo than students with
an Odds Ratios of 3.8 (95% CI 2.25-6.4), and 4.0 (95% CI 1.9
8.7) respectively. 5% of youths have a history of previous
offence. (38%) of offenders accused with theft or robbery
crimes followed by homicide (16%) and physical fighting or
scrimmage (12%).
CONCLUSIONS: According to the psychiatric interview, the
majority of the indicted were not mentally ill. Low
socioeconomic status, live in large family, losses fathers, school dropout, and premature work all these factors may contribute to increase the burden of juvenile delinquency in Wasit province. The prevalence of healthy risk behavior in school dropout delinquents more than in students. Theft and robbery, homicide and physical fighting as a crimes were on the top of the list. Educational and health programs that encourage