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.