Factors associated with delinquency are poorly understood in Nigeria because of paucity in research, and the knowledge of such is considered invaluable. A cross-sectional study aimed at examining the reasons for confinement in a borstal institution, and predictors of delinquency was conducted. Data from 147 incarcerated juveniles were analyzed: the presence of conduct disorders, OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.05–4.91, and “repeated incarceration”, OR = 6.36; 95% CI: 2.06–19.69, were the only predictors of delinquency after regression analysis. These factors play influential roles in explaining delinquency; while the roles of other factors require further investigation.
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