Readiness of institutionalized adolescents for independent living: a study from Kazakhstan

Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)
Nurgul Yelissinova, PhD , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Tolebay Rakhypbekov, PhD , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Yulia Semenova , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Ainur Yelissinova, PhD , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Raushan Igembayeva, MD , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Bakytkul Toktabayeva, MD , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Raida Faizova, MD , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Assel Baibussinova, MPH , Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Andrej M Grjibovski, PhD , Northern State Medical University, Arkhangelsk, Russia
INTRODUCTION:  In Kazakhstan, contrary to the western world, most children who were left without parental care live in institutions, which they have to leave at the age of 18. Although the number of young adults form institutions entering every year the Kazakhstani society is substantial, little is known on their knowledge and skills for independent living. The aim of the study was to assess the readiness of institutionalized Kazakhstani adolescents for living outside institution.

METHODS:  A cross-sectional study. All 54 children (24 girls) aged 13-18 years from the only institution for adolescents in Semey, East Kazakhstan, participated in the study by filling out an anonymous questionnaire. Proportions are presented with 95% exact binomial confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS:  Most institutionalized adolescents (90.7%, 95%CI: 79.7–96.9) had at least one relative, and 81.5% maintained contacts with them. After leaving the institution, 87.0% of adolescents wanted to reunite with their relatives, 61.1 % mentioned that they wanted to live with their parents, and 94.4 % want to have children. Most adolescents (94.4 %, 95% CI: 84.6-98.8) reported that they could plan their leisure time activities properly. Most adolescents (81.5 %, 95%CI: 68.6–90.7) were not aware of difficulties after leaving the institution. Only 66.7% of them knew how to cook, 55.6% reported that they could make a budget. Although the majority of girls (77.8%) had negative attitude to pre-marital sex, most boys (60.9%) were indifferent. Altogether 29.2% of girls (95%CI: 12.6–51.1) and 60.0% of boys (95%CI: 40.6–77.3) were not aware of contraception methods.

CONCLUSIONS: More than a half of institutionalized children in Semey, Kazakhstan have parents. It is essential to provide social support to their parents or relatives whom they will reunite with after leaving the institution. More emphasis should be given to making adolescents ready to life outside the institution.

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