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Abstract
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Safety 2010 World Injury Conference, London, Abstract:: Background Youth violence has been associated with adverse health behaviours and health outcomes in developed countries. However, there is limited information on the prevalence and factors associated with violence among adolescents in schools in Africa.
Methods A cross sectional survey of 516 adolescents aged 13-15 years in six public secondary schools, in Ogun State located in south west Nigeria, was conducted using the Global School Health Survey instrument. The prevalence of self-reported fights and bullying in the prior 12 months and their association with selected adverse health behaviours and outcomes were assessed.
Findings The reported exposure to physical fights and bullying was 47.9%. More males (54.9%) had been involved in physical fights compared to the females (39.4%), p=0.00. On multivariate logistic regression being male (OR: 1.56; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.28), having a history of a recent history of injury (OR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.64), being a gang member (OR:2.41; 95% CI 1.06 to 5.48) and having been bullied (OR:1.78; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.61) were associated with a history of physical fights. Exposure to bullying was also commoner among the males (52.1%) than the females (42.5%), p=0.03. History of recent injury (OR: 2.07; 95% CI 1.42 to 3.02), alcohol intake (OR: 2.09; 95% CI 1.29 to 3.36) and prolonged feelings of loneliness (OR: 1.68; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.21) were associated with bullying on multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Conclusion Physical fights and bullying are common among these adolescents and are associated with adverse health outcomes and behaviours. Intervention programmes aimed at reducing youth violence should be designed and implemented. |