Ra. Feinstein et al., MEDICAL STATUS OF ADOLESCENTS AT TIME OF ADMISSION TO A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER, Journal of adolescent health, 22(3), 1998, pp. 190-196
Purpose: To examine the medical status and history of health care util
ization of adolescents at the time of their admission to a juvenile de
tention facility. Methods: Data were collected over an 18-month period
on all detainees admitted for the first time to a juvenile detention
facility in a major southeastern city in the United States. Informatio
n was gathered through a private, confidential interview completed by
a medical social worker and a physical examination by a physician. Inf
ormation was obtained regarding past medical history, complaints at th
e time of admission, health care utilization, and physical examination
. Results: Approximately 10% of teenagers admitted to a detention faci
lity have a significant medical problem (excluding drug/alcohol abuse,
or uncomplicated sexually transmitted diseases) that requires medical
follow-up. The majority of these conditions were known to the adolesc
ent at the time of admission. Only a third of adolescents admitted to
the detention facility reported a regular source of medical care, and
only about 20% reported having a private physician. A majority of all
the detainees had already fallen behind in or dropped out of school. M
ore than half of the families of the adolescents with a medical proble
m appeared to be unable or unwilling to assist in ensuring proper medi
cal follow-up. Conclusions: A significant percentage of adolescents en
tering a detention facility have a medical problem requiring health ca
re services. Detention facilities offer an opportunity to deliver and
coordinate medical care to high-risk adolescents. Programs linking pub
lic and private health care providers with the correctional care syste
m may provide juveniles with an acceptable option for obtaining needed
health care services. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1998.