Violence against children perpetrated by peers: A cross-sectional school-based survey in Uganda

Prevalence of school related violence in seven countries: A cross-sectional survey

Violence against children in schools harms the affected children, limits their learning and educational attainment, and extends its harms to families and the broader communities. However, to date, comparable cross-country data on violence against children in schools has not been available. We utilize the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) to estimate school-related violence against children in seven countries (Honduras, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). Leveraging the unique comparability of the surveys, we are able to estimate both physical and sexual violence experienced in childhood and adolescence among youth aged 13-24. Where possible, we also disaggregate by gender and perpetrator type. Overall, within our sample seven countries, we find that 12.11-44.63% of females and 14.28-53.85% of males experienced at least one form of violence. Males experience higher levels of school-related violence and a significant portion of this is due to experiencing physical violence perpetrated by male classmates.

Prevalence and Correlates of Substance Use Among Youth Living with HIV in Fishing Communities in Uganda

Alcohol and drug use (ADU) poses a significant barrier to optimal HIV treatment outcomes for adolescents and youths living with HIV (AYLHIV). We aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of ADU among ALHIV in Ugandan fishing communities, areas characterized by high HIV and poverty rates. AYLHIV aged 18-24, who knew they were HIV-positive, were selected from six HIV clinics. Substance use was determined through self-report in the last 12 months and urine tests for illicit substances. Utilizing a socioecological framework, the study structured variables into a hierarchical logistic regression analysis to understand the multi-layered factors influencing ADU. Self-reported past 12 months substance use was 42%, and 18.5% of participants had a positive urine test for one or more substances, with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and marijuana being the most commonly used. With the addition of individual-level socio-demographics, indicators of mental health functioning, interpersonal relationships, and community factors, the logistic regression analysis revealed greater exposure to adverse childhood experiences increased the odds of substance use (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.24; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-1.55). Additionally, exposure to alcohol advertisements at community events significantly raised the odds of substance use (OR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.43-8.83). The results underscore the high prevalence among AYLHIV and emphasize the need for comprehensive interventions targeting individual (e.g., life skills education and mental health supports), interpersonal (e.g., peer support and family-based interventions), community (e.g., community engagement programs, restricted alcohol advertisements and illicit drug access), and policies (e.g., integrated care models and a national drug use strategy), to address ADU.

Prevalence of and factors associated with peer emotional and physical violence among youth ages 13-17 in Cote d'Ivoire

BACKGROUND

Peer violence during childhood is associated with negative outcomes. Data are limited on its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE

This study assesses the prevalence and factors associated with peer emotional and physical violence among children and adolescents aged 13-17years in Côte d'Ivoire.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data from the 2018 Côte d'Ivoire Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) were used to examine peer emotional and physical violence victimization. VACS is a national cross-sectional household survey of females and males aged 13-24years.

METHODS

Data included physical, emotional, and sexual violence and socioeconomic, demographic, and relationship factors. We computed the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and confidence interval (CI) for associated factors adjusted for food insecurity and rural or urban setting.

RESULTS

Thirty-one percent of females and 46.7 % of males experienced lifetime peer physical violence and 36.8 % of females and 40.2 % of males experienced peer emotional violence in the past 12 months. Witnessing violence in the home towards the mother (female AOR 1.2, CI 1.0-1.3); male AOR 1.4, CI 1.2-1.6) and witnessing violence in the home towards a sibling (female AOR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3; male AOR 1.3, CI 1.12-1.4) increased the odds of ever experiencing peer physical violence. In males, not living with their biological mother (AOR 1.2, CI 1.0, 1.4) or biological father (AOR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3) was associated with ever experiencing peer physical violence.

CONCLUSION

Interventions for children and adolescents living without parents and programming focused on education and skills-building may help to reduce peer violence against children in Côte d'Ivoire.

Child-led resistance in the streets of the global south: Decolonial perspectives of violence against children outside of family care

BACKGROUND

Violence against children (VAC) remains an urgent global dilemma and researchers and policymakers alike continue to work tirelessly to devise strategies aiming to end VAC. However, the perspectives and expertise of children themselves remain underrepresented in the drafting and implementation of these strategies against VAC. This paper draws attention to the marginalization of children living outside of family care and centers their perspective.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize the forms of violence experienced by children living outside the family setting in Uganda, from the perspective of children themselves. The paper seeks to position the voicing of this perspective as a form of resistance against VAC from a decolonial perspective.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

The participatory research process included a total of 94 participants in various urban study sites in Kampala, Uganda.

METHODS

The research team completed this qualitative study within a youth-driven participatory action research (YPAR) framework. Data collection techniques included interviews, focus groups, participatory visual methods and social cartography.

RESULTS

Children living outside of family care experience grave forms of emotional, physical and sexual violence. Child participants present survival strategies that can inform future research and policies on violence prevention practice.

CONCLUSIONS

The illustration of explicit violence outlined in this study represents a form of resistance children take against their perpetrators. The participatory youth researcher team urges future research and policy addressing VAC in Uganda to center these perspectives and expertise of children and adolescents in both programmatic and research initiatives aiming to end violence against children.

Physical abuse in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Covid-19 has now spread to almost all parts of the world which has caused changes in the social order of life for humans. The spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia is relatively high, so the Indonesian government has adopted a policy using social distancing (large-scale social restrictions). Various pressures experienced by residents tend to result in excessive stress and emotions. This can have an impact on the occurrence of violence in families and generally the victims are adolescents. Physical abuse is an act that can cause physical pain such as slapping, strangling, hitting, kicking, stabbing, twisting the arm, threats with sharp weapons or weapons, and murder. The method used in this research is descriptive analytical method. The research sample was 192 people from various provinces in Indonesia aged 10-24 years. The results of this study revealed that some of the physical abuse behaviors were obtained by adolescents at elementary school age, namely in the age range of 10 years or more with details, including hard encouragement by others with a total of 48 (25.0%), getting hit with a hand with a total of 38 ( 52.8%), getting slapped by other people with a total of 43 (22.4%), getting hit with a hard object from another person with a total of 22 (11.5%), having been pushed and also being arrested with a total of 16 (8.4%), having been pelted with something painfully from others with a total of 24 (12.5%), and had received treatment in the form of being bitten, punched, and kicked by another person with a total of 26 (13.5%). Physical abuse can have long-term effects, such as physical and psychological disturbances from the teenager, which can even lead to death. In addition, physical abuse can also cause adolescents to experience mental disorders such as depression and show traumatic symptoms.

Multiyear, Multisectoral Training Program in Kenya to Enhance Medical-Legal Processes in Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) leads to severe sequelae for individuals and communities. Lack of cross-sector coordination inhibits effective medical-legal support and justice for survivors. Multisectoral trainings for health, legal, and law enforcement professionals on survivor-centered SGBV care were conducted in Kenya during 2012-2018. Evaluation utilized objective structured clinical examinations, standardized patients, knowledge assessments, and interviews. A total of 446 professionals participated in 18 trainings. Mean knowledge scores increased from 75.6% to 84.7% (p < .001). Thirty interviews revealed improved survivor confidentiality, increased specialized hospital care, more comprehensive forensic care, and greater cross-sector collaboration. Participants reported survivors feeling more comfortable pursuing legal action and increased perpetrator convictions.

Assaults in schools: Findings using a national data base

BACKGROUND

Assaults can occur at schools/educational facilities involving students, teachers and other school employees. It was the purpose of this study to correlate injury patterns with patient demographics in school assault victims. Understanding injury patterns with their associated demographics will not only be useful for health care providers but can also assist in proposing prevention strategies for both students and school employees.

METHODS

Emergency department data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program data for the years 2005 through 2015 were used in this study. Statistical analyses were performed with SUDAAN software to account for the weighted, stratified nature of the data.

RESULTS

There were an estimated 852,822 ED visits for school assaults. The median age was 13.8 years with 81.3% between 5 and 19 years old; 64.4% were male. After age 4, the number of females proportionately increased with increasing age. The most common diagnosis was a contusion/abrasion (38.6%). The injuries occurred in the head/neck (63.9%), upper extremity (19.0%), upper trunk (6.6%), lower trunk (5.5%), and lower extremity (4.9%). Firearm violence accounted for 0.1% of the assaults. Human bites occurred in 3.7%. Sexual assault was rare and proportionally the highest in those ≤4 years of age. Internal organ injuries were more common in females (13.1% vs 3.55) and for those admitted to the hospital (29.9% vs 19.9%). The incidence of ED visits for school assault decreased 50% from 2005 to 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

This study analyzed ED visits due to assaults occurring in schools. Firearm violence accounted for only 0.1% of the injuries, in contrast to media coverage regarding school assaults. The most common injury location was the head/neck (63.9%) and the most common diagnosis was a contusion/abrasion. This data can also serve as a baseline for further studies and the impact of potential reduction strategies.

Circumstances and Consequences of Violence-Related Injuries Presenting at Hospital. A Study at the Pediatric Emergency and Forensic Medicine Units of Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique

Rates of violence against children are high in Sub-Saharan Africa and information is scarce on the resulting injuries. This study investigates sex-related differences in the circumstances and consequences of sexual and physical violence in the Mozambican context. Hospital records from 2019 at the pediatric emergency and forensic medicine units of Maputo Central Hospital were scrutinized using a standardized form. Of the 321 cases identified, 60% resulted from sexual violence. Girls represented 86.4% of the victims of sexual violence and boys, 66.1% of those from physical violence. Being injured in a familiar environment and by a parent, a relative, or someone known was strikingly common. The injury pattern varied by form of violence and sex of the child. About half of the injuries sustained by physical violence were minor/superficial. Severe injuries requiring hospitalization (33% in total) and some specialized care (27% in total) were mainly sustained by girl victims of sexual violence. While circumstances and consequences of violence-related injuries have several similarities, being severely injured is more typical of girl victims of sexual violence. Besides medical care, hospital services in Mozambique must be prepared to offer pediatric victims of violence the necessary social care.

Which Factors Are Associated With Adolescent Reports of Experiencing Various Forms of Abuse at the Family Level in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda?

Research assessing familial violence against adolescents, using caregiver-adolescent dyads, is limited in post-conflict settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent-reported familial abuse in post-conflict northern Uganda. It also assessed the relationship between abuse subtypes and (a) beliefs supporting aggression and (b) adolescent well-being and life satisfaction. A randomly selected community-based sample of 10- to 17-year-old adolescents (54% girls) and their caregivers (N = 427 dyads) in two northern Uganda districts was used. Abuse outcomes were adolescent reported. All measures used standardized tools that have been adapted for research in resource-limited settings. Analyses used multivariable linear regressions in Stata 14/IC. Overall, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse rates were 70% (confidence interval [CI] = [65.7, 74.4]), 72% (CI = [67.4, 76.0]), and 18.0% (CI = [14.0, 21.2]), respectively. Polyvictimization was 61% (CI = [55.4, 64.7]). There were no gender differences regarding adolescent reports of physical and emotional abuse, but adolescent girls were more likely to report sexual abuse and polyvictimization than adolescent boys. All forms of adolescent-reported abuse (except sexual abuse) were associated with caregiver reports of harsh disciplinary practices. In addition, emotional abuse was associated with physical and sexual abuse. Physical abuse was associated with being an orphan and emotional abuse. Sexual abuse was associated with being a girl, older adolescent age, living in a larger household, and emotional abuse. Polyvictimization was positively associated with being an orphan, younger caregiver age, caregiver-reported poor monitoring and supervision, and higher household socioeconomic status, but negatively associated with lower parental role satisfaction. Physical and emotional (but not sexual) abuse and polyvictimization were associated with beliefs supporting aggression among adolescents. All abuse subtypes were associated with lower levels of perceived well-being and life satisfaction among adolescents in this study. Child abuse prevention programs have the potential to improve adolescent-caregiver interaction and interrupt the violence transmission cycle in this setting.

Reliability and validity of the Peer Relation Questionnaire in a sample of Greek school children and adolescents

Bullying among children and adolescents can have detrimental effects on their physical and mental health. The first step in the identification of bullying is the detection of relevant signs and behaviours, with the use of appropriate instruments. The widely used Peer Relation Questionnaire (PRQ)has been developed to measure bullying behaviour in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to translate and validate this instrument in the Greek language in a school sample of children and adolescents. A sample of 193 students (mean age ± SD 11.44 ± 1.26 years, girls 49.7%), was recruited from elementary and junior high schools of the public and private sector, in the capital of Athens, Greece. Along with the Peer Relation Questionnaire, the Stress in Children questionnaire and a structured inquiry regarding satisfaction from various aspects of life were used to assess the criterion validity of the Peer Relation Questionnaire. Results revealed good psychometric properties of the questionnaire in the Greek language. The principal component analysis resulted in two subscales that demonstrated an adequate internal consistency and a significant correlation with stress and satisfaction parameters, suggesting satisfying criterion validity. Meaningful associations between demographic characteristics and the subscales were also found. The Greek version of the Peer Relation Questionnaire-short form can be used as a valid tool to measure bullying behaviour in children and adolescents.

Gender-Based Violence Among Female Senior Secondary School Students in Eastern Ethiopia

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major global public health issue due to its short- and long-term adverse effects on women's health. Little is known about the factors associated with physical and emotional violence among female school students in Ethiopia. We determined the magnitude and risk factors of emotional violence, physical violence, sexual violence, and any form of GBV among 1,199 female school students in eastern Ethiopia using the facilitated self-administered questionnaires. The prevalence of any form of GBV in the past 12 months was 53.04% (95% CI: 50.22-55.87). Around 52% (95% CI: 47.61-55.54) of respondents indicated they had experienced all three forms of GBV. The prevalence of emotional violence in the past 12 months was 43.04% (95% CI: 40.22-45.84), physical violence was 43.79% (95% CI: 40.94-46.59), and sexual violence was 31.44% (95% CI: 28.81-34.07). Having a boyfriend, being married, not receiving enough pocket money from family, witnessing violence as a child, using alcohol, being sexually active, and discussing reproductive health with family increased the risk of any form of GBV in the past 12 months. This suggests that early intervention and support to mitigate the long-term adverse impacts of GBV are needed.

A multi-country analysis of the prevalence and factors associated with bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from the global school-based health survey

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years, there has been growing public and research interest in adolescents' experiences with various forms of bullying victimisation because of their psychological, emotional, and/ or physical consequences. The present study examined the prevalence of bullying victimisation and its associated factors among in-school adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

Using data from the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) from 2010 to 2017 of eleven sub-Saharan African countries, a sample of 25,454 in-school adolescents was used for analysis. Statistical analyses included frequencies, percentages, Pearson chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of bullying victimisation among the respondents was 38.8%. The prevalence was lowest in Mauritius (22.2%) and highest in Sierra Leone (54.6%). Adolescents who felt lonely [aOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.53, 1.80], had history of anxiety [aOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.41, 1.66], suicidal ideation [aOR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.39], suicidal attempt [aOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.72, 2.02], current users of marijuana [aOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.38, 1.84], and truants at [aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.34, 1.52] were more likely to be victims of bullying. Conversely, adolescents who had peer support were less likely to be victims of bullying [aOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.73, 0.82]. Adolescents aged 15 years or older had lower odds of experiencing bullying victimization compared to their counterparts aged 14 years or younger [aOR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.69, 0.78].

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that age, loneliness, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, and current use of marijuana are associated with increased risk of bullying victimisation. School-wide preventative interventions (e.g., positive behavioural strategies- Rational Emotive Behavioral Education, [REBE], peer educator network systems, face-face counseling sessions, substance use cessation therapy) are essential in promoting a positive school climate and reduce students' bullying victimisation behaviours.

Magnitude of Gender-Based Violence and Its Associated Factors among Female Night Students in Bahir Dar City, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Background

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major public health issue that affects the health and well-being of millions of young people worldwide each year. Gender-based violence was prevalent throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. However, research in Africa is extremely diverse.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent and risk factors of gender-based violence among night female students in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 788 elementary and high school night female students in Bahir Dar from October 15 to November 15, 2019. Data was gathered using self-administered questionnaires. A binary and multiple logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with gender-based and sexual violence. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95 percent confidence interval (CI) was calculated to determine the level of significance.

Results

The overall lifetime prevalence of gender-based violence (sexual, physical, and emotional violence) was 71.1% with a 95% CI of 67.8%-74.1%. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence, physical violence, and emotional violence was 49.1%, 57.5%, and 41.6%, respectively. Rural childhood residence (AOR: 3.37, 95% CI: (2.17-5.54)), low school performance (AOR: 3.44, 95% CI: (2.13-5.56)), lack of sexual and reproductive health conversation experience (AOR: 3.68, 95% CI: (2.07-6.54)), poor family control (AOR: 5.62, 95% CI: (3.25-9.71)), and being sexually active (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI: (2.35-6.12)) increased significantly the risk of gender-based violence. The risk factors for sexual violence were young people living with both parents (AOR: 0.28, 95% CI: (0.19-0.41)), peer pressure (AOR: 5.73, 95% CI: (4.11-7.98)), and family support (AOR: 0.31, 95% CI: (0.22-0.43)).

Conclusion

In the study area, the lifetime prevalence of sexual violence, physical violence, and emotional violence was high. As a result, it is recommended that policymakers, district officials, schools, and other stakeholders pay attention to and act on gender-based values.

Bullying Victimization among In-School Adolescents in Ghana: Analysis of Prevalence and Correlates from the Global School-Based Health Survey

(1) Background: Although bullying victimization is a phenomenon that is increasingly being recognized as a public health and mental health concern in many countries, research attention on this aspect of youth violence in low- and middle-income countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is minimal. The current study examined the national prevalence of bullying victimization and its correlates among in-school adolescents in Ghana. (2) Methods: A sample of 1342 in-school adolescents in Ghana (55.2% males; 44.8% females) aged 12–18 was drawn from the 2012 Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) for the analysis. Self-reported bullying victimization “during the last 30 days, on how many days were you bullied?” was used as the central criterion variable. Three-level analyses using descriptive, Pearson chi-square, and binary logistic regression were performed. Results of the regression analysis were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with a statistical significance pegged at p < 0.05. (3) Results: Bullying victimization was prevalent among 41.3% of the in-school adolescents. Pattern of results indicates that adolescents in SHS 3 [aOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.25, 0.47] and SHS 4 [aOR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.44] were less likely to be victims of bullying. Adolescents who had sustained injury [aOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.63, 2.73] were more likely to be bullied compared to those who had not sustained any injury. The odds of bullying victimization were higher among adolescents who had engaged in physical fight [aOR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.42, 2.25] and those who had been physically attacked [aOR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.32, 2.27]. Similarly, adolescents who felt lonely were more likely to report being bullied [aOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.08] as against those who did not feel lonely. Additionally, adolescents with a history of suicide attempts were more likely to be bullied [aOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.38] and those who used marijuana had higher odds of bullying victimization [aOR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.10, 10.24]. (4) Conclusions: Current findings require the need for policy makers and school authorities in Ghana to design and implement policies and anti-bullying interventions (e.g., Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Emotive Behavioral Education (REBE), Marijuana Cessation Therapy (MCT)) focused on addressing behavioral issues, mental health and substance abuse among in-school adolescents.

Increased child abuse in Uganda amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Globally, COVID-19 lockdown measures have exposed children to more sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have long-lasting adverse psychological effects on children, there have been comparatively few studies on children's health as compared with adults, particularly in low-income countries. Uganda implemented one of the most stringent lockdowns with bans on transportation and gatherings as well as the closure of schools, stores and places of worship. In order to address the dearth of information in less developed regions, the article aims to provide an insight into the increased cases of child abuse in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data and information were primarily compiled from government and child welfare organisation open-source databases. The psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 have greatly disrupted the living conditions of children, limiting their access to basic needs such as food and health care. In addition, there is a lack of social support, thus putting children at an increased risk of different forms of child abuse. Since the implementation of the COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda, there has been a rise in the incidence of child abuse. Increased cases of physical and sexual abuse against children have been reported in different parts of the country as well as increased cases of child labour. To strengthen child protection during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article highlights a need for multi-level stakeholder cooperation to ensure increased funding, increased community awareness and sensitisation, early detection and effective management and referral of child abuse cases.

The exposure of children with and without disabilities to violent parental discipline: Cross-sectional surveys in 17 middle- and low-income countries

BACKGROUND

Children with disabilities in high-income countries are more likely than their peers to be exposed to violence. To date, only two studies have reported nationally robust data on the association between child disabilities and exposure to violent parental discipline.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate prevalence rates and adjusted rate ratios of exposure to violent parental discipline among children with and without disabilities in middle- and low-income countries.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Nationally representative samples involving a total of 206,147 children aged 2-14 from 17 countries.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of data collected in UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys.

RESULTS

Children with disabilities were at significantly greater risk of exposure than children without disabilities to all eight forms of violent parental discipline and the total number of forms they were exposed to. For what could be considered the most abusive form of violent discipline (beating a child up 'as hard as one could') they were 71 % more likely to have been exposed in the previous month than other children (age and gender adjusted prevalence rate ratio = 1.71 (95 %CI 1.64-1.78), p < 0.001). Children with functioning difficulties related to poorer mental health or cognitive functioning were at significantly greater risk of exposure to violent parental discipline. In contrast, children with impairments related to sensory functioning, mobility and expressive communication were at no greater risk of exposure than children without disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with disabilities are at greater risk of exposure to all forms of violent parental discipline than children without disabilities in middle- and low-income countries.

Peer victimization at school and associated factors in Campeche, Mexico

Abstract Objectives: to estimate the prevalence ofpeer victimization (VI-P) and to identify factors associated to it. Methods: a cross sectional study based on a state-representativesample; 2555 students from primary and secondary schools of Campeche, in the academic year 2015-2016 participated. They were interviewed face to face. VI-P was analyzed by sex, age and various school-related aspects with prevalence rate and 95% confidence interval. The analysis of interactions among the studied factors was carried out using a hierarchical log-lineal model. With the significant terms,a multiviarite analysis using a logistic model was performed. Based on this model, maximum and minimum predictive values for VI-P were calculated by odds inverse transformation. Results: the global prevalence of VI-P was 60.4% (CI95%= 58.6-62.3). The prevalence of violence physical, psycho-emotional, patrimonial, and sexual, were 28.8, 52.9, 26.5, and 8.7%, respectively. Students in the first year, who were male, had classes scheduled in the evening, attended a public school and resided in a municipality of high/highest margination index, had the highest probability (75.3%) of suffering VI-P. Conclusions: given the high levels of VI-P found, and its possible effects, it is necessary implement truly effective measures to prevent it.

Prevalence of violence by teachers and its association to students' emotional and behavioral problems and school performance: Findings from secondary school students and teachers in Turkey

BACKGROUND

Teacher violence toward students is a common public health risk associated with various negative outcomes. Though previous studies examined the prevalence of teacher violence toward students and its association with negative outcomes, little is known about the association between teacher violence and school performance, and the mediating role of students' emotional and behavioral problems, particularly in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to investigate the prevalence of teacher violence toward students, its association with school performance, and the mediating role of emotional and behavioral problems.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data were collected from 293 students (M = 12.59, SD = 1.07) and 205 teachers (M = 37.20, SD = 8.41) using a structured sampling approach.

METHODS

Our cross-sectional study used a multi-informant approach: both teachers and students reported on violence by teachers. Students reported also on other types of violence, emotional and behavioral problems, and school performance.

RESULTS

Of all students, 55 % reported that they were exposed to teacher violence at least once in the past month, while 83 % of teachers reported having used any type of violence against students. Path analysis indicated direct associations between teacher violence toward students and students' behavioral and emotional problems (β = 0.21) and school performance (β = -0.15), and an indirect association between teacher violence and school performance (β = -0.05) via emotional and behavioral problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Teacher violence toward students was highly prevalent and associated with emotional and behavioral problems and lower school performance. Prevention programs and social policies aiming to reduce violence by teachers are urgently needed.

Global risks of suicidal behaviours and being bullied and their association in adolescents: School-based health survey in 83 countries

BACKGROUND

Global risks of suicidal behaviours (SB) and being bullied as well as their association among adolescents have been poorly understood. We aimed to determine the risks of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide planning (SP), suicide attempt (SA) and being bullied in adolescents and their related associations across gender, countries and different WHO regions.

METHODS

We examined data from the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS), which recorded health behaviours among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years from 83 countries. We computed prevalence rates of SB and being bullied and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multilevel models were employed to examine the association of being bullied with risks of SI, SP and SA.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of SI was 16·5%, SP 16·5%, SA 16·4%, and being bullied 35·3%. The highest risks of SB and being bullied were in Africa (SI 19·9%, SP 23·2%, SA 20·8%, being bullied 48·0%). Compared to boys, girls had an increased risk for SI (18·2%) and SP (17·3%) but similar risk for SA (16·7%) and being bullied (33·3%). Being bullied was associated with SA (adjusted odds ratio ‒ aOR 2·14, 95%CI 2·06-2·23), more strongly than SI (1·83, 1·78-1·89) and SP (1·70, 1·65-1·76). The strongest association with SA was in the Western Pacific (2·68, 2·45-2·92) and with SI (2·04, 1·74-2·39) and SP (1·81, 1·68-1·95) were in Southeast Asia. There were no gender differences in aOR for SI and SP, but the aOR for SA among boys (2·28, 2·14-2·42) was significantly greater than among girls (2·04, 1·93-2·15), ratio of two odds ratios was 1.12 (P = 0.008).

INTERPRETATION

SB and being bullied were common among adolescents worldwide. The findings of gender differences in SB, being bullied and their association could inform the design of prevention programmes to reduce the risks of SI, SP and SA in adolescents worldwide.

Prevalence of family violence and mental health and their relation to peer victimization: A representative study of adolescent students in Southwestern Uganda

BACKGROUND

Despite global efforts to end violence against children in all settings, reports reveal that violence against children is still highly prevalent, especially in low-and middle- income countries. Violence in childhood is associated with a host of negative outcomes, and exposure in one setting can easily spill over to other contexts. For instance, exposure to family violence was not only related to mental health problems but also seems to be a risk factor for peer victimization.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of maltreatment within the family and adolescents' mental health problems and their relation to peer victimization. We also aimed to gain new insights into the perceptions of adolescents concerning maltreatment within their families.

METHODS

Data were collected from April to November 2017 in a representative sample of 702 students from 12 public secondary schools in Southwestern Uganda who responded to self-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

Overall, 95% of the students experienced at least one type of family violence in the past month. Students (81.3%) had endorsed some level of acceptance of violent discipline as a valid strategy in response to any misbehavior. Maltreatment within the family was related to peer victimization (β = .47) and this relation was mediated by mental health problems (0.002, 95%-CI: 0.001-0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated a high prevalence of maltreatment within Ugandan families that was associated with peer victimization. This underscores the need to implement interventions aiming to reduce maltreatment and violence in order to protect children from potentially negative consequences.

Gender-based violence among female youths in educational institutions of Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gender-based violence is a public health issue. The prevalence of gender-based violence is high in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aims to produce an overall summary estimate on the prevalence of gender-based violence according to different types and its risk factors among female youths in educational institutions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

Studies published in English between 2000 and 2017 were identified by searching electronic databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and other relevant data bases. Three reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of studies using the Loney guidelines. The pooled prevalence of gender-based violence and type of GBV was computed using STATA software version 14, and between studies heterogeneity was tested using Cochran's Q test and I² statistics. Meta-regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with GBV estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 1377 articles were produced from different databases, and a final 24 articles were included in the review. The overall prevalence of gender-based violence ranged from 42.3% in Nigeria to 67.7% in Ethiopia. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence ranged from 4.3 to 76.4%, physical violence ranged from 7.4 to 66.1%, and emotional violence prevalence ranged from 26.1 to 50.8%. The overall pooled prevalence of lifetime GBV (n = 7 studies) was 52.83% [95% CI 39.54-65.90%, I² = 99.1, P < 0.00]. The pooled estimate of sexual violence (n = 23), 26.22% [95% CI 19.48-33.57%, I² = 99.39, P < 0.00], physical violence (n = 9), 18.86% [95% CI 10.96-28.3%, I² = 98.98, P < 0.00], and emotional violence (n = 5), 27.06% [95% CI19.57-35.28%], I² = 97.1, P < 0.00]. The review showed that gender-based violence was significantly associated with place of residence, witnessing parental violence, substance abuse, marital status, and educational status.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of overall gender-based violence, sexual, physical, and emotional violence was high in Sub-Saharan Africa. The lowest prevalence of GBV was observed in Nigeria, and it was highest in Ethiopia. However, the results should be interpreted with caution because of high between studies heterogeneity. Evidence from the review part revealed GBV was significantly associated with place of residence, witnessing parental violence, substance abuse, marital status, and educational status. The Sub-Saharan African countries should develop a comprehensive educational institution-based prevention strategy and effective interventions to mitigate gender-based violence and to specifically achieve the SDG₅.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD4201073260.