Prevalence and correlates of physical bullying behaviours (on/off-school property) among adolescents in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Jacob Owusu Sarfo, Paul Obeng, Priscilla Y.A. Attafuah, Newton Isaac Gbordzoe, Crescens Osei Bonsu Ofori

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Bullying remains a serious public health and educational concern among school-going adolescents worldwide. However, no national survey has examined the prevalence and correlates of physical bullying (on and off-school property) among school-going adolescents in the Island country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This study sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of physical bullying among adolescents from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Methods: We analysed data from the 2018 Global School-based Student Health Survey using Pearson Chi-square and Binomial Logistic Regression, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Among this population, physical bullying on/off-school property was prevalent among 24% and 18%, respectively. After adjusting for other predictors, we found that males were less likely to be bullied on school property than females. However, being a younger adolescent (≤ 15 years old), being physically attacked, cyberbullied, having close friends, and having suicidal ideas were associated with increased odds of being physically bullied on school property. Also, being physically attacked, cyberbullied, worried, and having suicidal plans increased the odds of being physically bullied off school property. Conclusion: We recommend a multidisciplinary approach to adolescent bullying prevention in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and countries with similar characteristics based on our findings. Trail registration: Global School-Based Student Health Survey 2018 (VCT_2018_GSHS_v01) Registered August 20, 2021, https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/878.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3228
JournalBMC Public Health
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Bullying behaviours (on/off-school property)
  • Risk and protective factors
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prevalence and correlates of physical bullying behaviours (on/off-school property) among adolescents in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this