Assessment of juvenile rehabilitation centers for children with behaviour disorders in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the juvenile Rehabilitation Centers (RC's) for children with behavior disorders in Kiambu County. The study targeted all the public Juvenile RC in Kiambu County. All the three RC in Kiambu County formed the strata since the number was manageable. Using purposive sampling, 3 managers, 18 teachers and 150 rehabilitees were selected to participate in the study. This translated to a sample size of 171 respondents. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, data was gathered through structured questionnaires. Piloting was done in Othaya RC in order to ensure that the information that would be collected from the field would be accurate and reliable. Using Test-Retest method to determine reliability of the questionnaires, a reliability index of 0.76 was obtained and hence the instrument was accepted. Quantitative data analysis was done by describing the distribution of variables. From the findings of the study, the common deviant disorders among the rehabilitees were stealing, prostitution, robbery, abuse of drugs, school dropout, fighting, rape, and murder. The findings indicate that most crimes were facilitated by family and individual risk factors which emphasize children's behaviors as the result of genetic, social, and environmental factors based on individual's genetic, emotional, cognitive, physical, and social characteristics. Training in social skills and treating first time offenders were the major programs employed in for children with DB in Kiambu County. The study concluded that there is much work needed in these centers and therefore the government needs to improve on the infrastructures and add more staff. The study recommends that, parents, guardians, relatives and all members of the community should be actively involved in the rehabilitation of children. As well, the government should provide a guidance and counseling program in rehabilitation centers.