title: Behavioral disorder amongst adolescents attending secondary school in southeast Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adolescents are prone to various forms of behavioral problems. These behavioral issues in adolescents can have serious consequences for the adolescents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of the study are to determine the causative factors of adolescent problems and specific manifestations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Behavioral problems were investigated using a random sampling of adolescents from secondary schools in southeast Nigeria from February to April, 2014. A self-administered questionnaire was developed from Health Kids Colorado Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 763 subjects completed the questionnaire. Adolescents who reported to have used tobacco 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 times during the last 30 days are just 3.14% and 3.4%, respectively. Nineteen (2.49%) adolescents claimed that they have had sex before but not in the last 3 months. Adolescents who attempted suicide are from 15 years and peaked at 18. Eighty-three (11%) adolescents who are 15 years old attempted suicide in a year; this peaks at 17 years where 235 (30.8%) committed suicide. Majority of adolescents with behavioral disorder are from the upper class family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that adolescents exhibit several forms of behavioral problems.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), PMB 01129, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chinawa
authors.affiliation: Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Manyike
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), PMB 01129, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Obu
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), PMB 01129, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Odetunde
authors.affiliation: College of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Aniwada
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Ndu
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chinawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult