A Comparative Assessment of Bullying Among in-school Adolescents in an Urban and Rural Setting in Southern Nigeria

Authors

  • Esohe Olivia Ogboghodo Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State
  • Vivian O Omuemu Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State
  • Hendrith A Esene Department of Community Health Igbinedion University Okada Edo State
  • Gregrey A Oko-oboh Lecturer 1 Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State
  • Alphonsus R Isara Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State
  • Essy C Isah Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State

Keywords:

Bullying, Knowledge, Perception, Pattern, Practice

Abstract

Background: Bullying has become a growing public health burden globally with consequences linked to psychiatric morbidity in adulthood. In Nigeria, bullying is assuming a health threat with a prevalence as high as 78%. The role geographic variations play in determining the prevalence of bullying in Nigeria is largely unknown. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the knowledge, perception and practice of bullying amongst in-school adolescents in an urban and a rural setting in Edo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study design was utilized for this study. The study population comprised students in an urban and a rural secondary school in Edo State. Respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising both open and closed ended questions and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 software. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 700 respondents took part in the study (350 urban and 350 rural) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 14.9 (1.9) years.The urban respondents had better knowledge (p<0.001), better perception (p=0.012) and higher prevalence of bullying (p<0.001) compared to the rural respondents. 

Conclusion: The study showed a gap in knowledge and high prevalence of bulling in both schools. All stakeholders should focus on improving the knowledge and curbing the practice of bullying amongst secondary school students by employing targeted interventions.

Author Biographies

Esohe Olivia Ogboghodo, Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State

Lecturer 1

Department of Community Health

University of Benin
Benin City
Edo State

 

Vivian O Omuemu, Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State

Professor,

Department of Community Health

University of Benin
Benin City
Edo State

Hendrith A Esene, Department of Community Health Igbinedion University Okada Edo State

Lecturer

Department of Community Health
Igbinedion University
Okada
Edo State

Gregrey A Oko-oboh, Lecturer 1 Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State

Lecturer 1

Department of Community Health

University of Benin
Benin City
Edo State

 

Alphonsus R Isara, Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State

Associate Professor

Department of Community Health

University of Benin
Benin City
Edo State

Essy C Isah, Department of Community Health University of Benin Benin City Edo State

Professor

Department of Community Health

University of Benin
Benin City
Edo State

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Published

2018-03-21

How to Cite

Ogboghodo, E. O., Omuemu, V. O., Esene, H. A., Oko-oboh, G. A., Isara, A. R., & Isah, E. C. (2018). A Comparative Assessment of Bullying Among in-school Adolescents in an Urban and Rural Setting in Southern Nigeria. The Nigerian Health Journal, 17(4), 135–147. Retrieved from https://tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/332

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