Background: Upon gaining information regarding the history and diagnostic criteria of the antisocial personality disorder in the DSM, the researchers heeded to find risk factors that may be indicative of impending antisocial personality disorder. Previous studies on conduct disorder in rehabilitation schools have indicated high prevalence and this disorder is associated with criminal activities and is the main risk factor for the development of antisocial personality disorder. Some underlying factors have been associated with the development of antisocial personality disorder among juvenile delinquents. Here, secondary prevention was applied, that is, after identification of such risk factors, the subjects received referral for early treatment to minimize the risk of developing antisocial personality disorder. Method: This study was prospective correlational research design. The convenience non-probability sampling was used in this study. It was conducted from February to May 2018. Interview was used to collect the data from the inmates. Results: A prevalence rate of 34.38% was found among the inmates of the rehabilitation center. In the aspect of marital status, the highest prevalence was among children who came from families where the parents were single, divorced or widowed (21.21% each). Majority of the participants with conduct disorder (90.90%) were between the ages of 12-14 years. children who committed theft had a prevalence rate of 54.54%, those who were charged of vandalism had a prevalence of 27.27% and those of fighting had 18.18% of prevalence. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between age of subjects, number of admissions, level of education, parent income range, types of crime committed, marital status of parents and substance addiction of parents, and occurrence of conduct disorder. The prevalence of conduct disorder was significantly high among juvenile delinquents in the rehabilitation center, which makes it a matter of major concern requiring quick intervention before these children advance into serious criminal activities.

Keywords: DSM-IV: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of mental disorders; ACHS: Asmara College of Health Sciences, ASPD: Antisocial Personality Disorder; CD: Conduct Disorder; SDQ: Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire.