OBJECTIVE: To describe the psychiatric profile, with emphasis on psychiatric comorbidities, of adolescents in conflict with the law interned on Casa de Acolhimento ao Menor (CAM), Salvador, Bahia, 2003. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional census study that enrolled a population of 290 adolescents kept on a deprivation of liberty regimen. Aquestionnaire was used to collect demographic and psychosocial data as well as psychopathologic signs and symptoms, and a semi-structured interview was carried out on the examination of the enrolled adolescents. RESULTS: Social-demographic profile: male (89.3%); between 15 and 18 years (63.9%), analphabets or had not completed the basic school years (95.1%); monthly family income below one minimum salary (67.6%). Among the 290 enrolled adolescents, 24.8% had no mental disturbance, while 75.2% fulfilled criteria to one or more psychiatric disorders according to ICD-10. Out of 218 adolescents who had at least one diagnosis, 47.7% had comorbidity disorders. The commonest association of conditions was between behavioral disorders and the noxious use of psychoactive drugs (13.4%). Hyperkinetic disorders are only frequent when associated with other conditions (10.7%). The noxious use of psychoactive drugs was also shown to be present, being noted in association with diverse psychiatric conditions. CONCLUSION: Ahigh rate of psychiatric comorbidity was found, suggesting the need for specific therapeutic approaches to aid adolescents with psychiatric conditions and in conflict with the law.
juvenile delinquency; mental disorders; prevalence; comorbidity
