Table 5.
Similarity and differences in physical and mental status among the two categories of adolescents in institutional care in Nigeria
| Variable | Adolescents on Criminal Code (N = 158) | Cases of Child/Adolescent Neglect (N = 53) | OR (95% CI) | χ2 | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anthropometric profile |
|
|
|
|
|
| Mean weight (Kg) |
49.77 ± 5.41 |
34.93 ± 8.63 |
-------- |
6.3* |
0.01 |
| Mean height (Metres) |
1.52 ± 0.21 |
1.43 ± 0.11 |
------- |
1.6* |
0.04 |
| Mean body mass index (Kg/m2) |
16.34 ± 0.33 |
15.85 ± 1.71 |
-------- |
7.7* |
0.03 |
|
Neurological Profile |
|
|
|
|
|
| Handedness (Right Vs. Left) |
150 (95) |
43 (93)# |
1.7 (0.2 - 4.21) |
0.3 |
0.88 |
| Neurological deficits |
1 (0.6) |
12 (23) |
0.03 (0.01- 0.09) |
---- |
0.01** |
| Epilepsy |
0 (0.0) |
13 (25) |
0.02 (0.01- 0.07) |
----- |
0.003** |
|
Common Mental Health Problems |
|
|
|
|
|
| Disruptive behaviour disorders |
100 (63) |
18 (39)# |
2.6 (1.3 – 5.3) |
10.8 |
0.003 |
| Alcohol & substance abuse |
96 (61) |
5 (11)# |
16.2 (5.6- 47.6) |
23.8 |
<0.001 |
| Multiple traumatic events+ |
43 (27.2) |
12 (26) # |
1.2 (0.8 – 1.9) |
1.22 |
0. 43 |
| Posttraumatic stress disorder | 20 (13) | 10 (22)# | 0.52 (0.22- 1.29) | 2.34 | 0.12 |
*Student t-test.
**Fisher’s exact statistic.
# n = 46.
+ Lifetime exposure to at least 3 different childhood traumatic events among the following: car or other accidents, being in a fire, witnessing a disaster, witnessing or being the victim of a violent crime, being confronted with traumatic news, sexual abuse.