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Prevalence and correlates of being bullied among in-school adolescents in Malawi: results from the 2009 Global School-Based Health Survey
Kubwalo, H.W.; Muula, A.S.; Siziya, S.; Pasupulati, S. & Rudatsikira, E.
Abstract
Background
Physical and emotional violence against adolescents is a neglected,
but growing problem globally. Violence against adolescents
negatively affects the victim in terms of physical health, school
attendance and performance and social adjustment. The literature
on the prevalence and associated factors of bullying against
adolescents is sparse in southern Africa outside South Africa. Such
data are even sparser for Malawi. The current study was conducted
to estimate the prevalence of self-reported bullying and its personal
and social correlates.
Methods
A secondary analysis of the Malawi School-Based Student Health
Survey (2009) was done. Descriptive analyses were done to describe
the sample and estimate the prevalence of reporting history of
bullying in the past 30 days preceding the survey. Logistic regression
analysis was done to assess the association between several factors
and being a victim of bullying. Crude and adjusted odds ratios are
reported.
Results
A total of 2,264 in-school adolescents participated in the Malawi
School-Based Student Health Survey of 2009. Just under half
(44.5%) reported having been bullied in the previous month to the
survey (44.1% among boys versus 44.9% among girls). Compared
to adolescents of age 16 years or older, those who were 12 years
old or younger and those who were 14 years of age were more
likely to be bullied (AOR=1.54; 95% CI [1.41, 1.76]) and OR=1.26;
95% CI [1.21, 1.31]) respectively. The other risk factors that were
identified in the analysis were loneliness (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI
[2.20, 2.27[), and being worried (AOR = 2.80; 95% CI [2.76, 2.85[).
Adolescents who had no close friends were 14% (AOR = 1.14;
95% CI [1.11-1.17]) more likely to be reporting bullied compared
to adolescents who reported having close friends. Adolescents
who smoked cigarettes were more than three times more likely to
reporting be bullied compared to non-smokers (AOR=3.97; 955
CI [3.83, 4.10]), while those who drank alcohol were more than
twice as likely to be bullied as adolescents who did not take alcohol
(AOR=2.26; 95% CI [2.16, 2.35]).
Conclusion
Malawian in-school adolescents report a high prevalence of
having been bullied. Traditional associated factors such alcohol
and smoking as well as emotional correlates (loneliness, worry)
were associated with being a victim of bullying. School officials
and health workers caring for adolescents should be sensitized
to the frequent occurrence of bullying and to its correlates and
consequences.
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