Rtbey Gidey, Andualem Fantahun, Nakie Girum, Fentahun Setegn, Melkam Mamaru, Kibralew Getasew, Tadesse Gebresilassie, Birhan Belete, Tinsae Techilo, Takelle Girmaw Medfu
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2025 Apr 24;20(4):e0321820. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321820. eCollection 2025.
Bullying victimization during school age is a global public health concern. School-aged adolescents experiencing bullying victimization are more likely to encounter physical, cognitive, and mental health issues; including greater rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of bullying victimization and its determinants among school-aged adolescents in Africa.
All studies reporting the prevalence of bullying victimization and its determinants among African school-aged adolescents were included based on the predefined eligibility criteria. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis(PRISMA), a guideline for reporting a systematic review and meta-analysis. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled effect size of bullying victimization and its determinants with their odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval(CI). Funnel plots analysis and Egger's regression test were conducted to assess publication bias. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
Twenty-five studies involving 41,716 school-aged adolescents were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of bullying victimization among school-aged adolescents in Africa was 46.35%, with a 95% CI (41.45, 51.24). According to the subgroup analysis of the study region, 49.17% of bullying victimization was reported in the Eastern region of Africa whereas, 32.73% was reported in the Southern region. Engaging in physical fights [OR=1.86; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.07], current substance use [OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.62], feeling lonely [OR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.49, 2.65], and being worried [OR=2.56; 95% CI: 2.12, 3.1] were significantly associated with bullying victimization.
This review revealed that the pooled prevalence of bullying victimization among school-aged adolescents in Africa was high. To ensure adolescents' mental health and cultivate productive manpower, fostering a supportive environment in schools is mandatory.
学龄期遭受欺凌是一个全球公共卫生问题。遭受欺凌的学龄青少年更有可能出现身体、认知和心理健康问题，包括更高的抑郁、焦虑和自杀行为发生率。本系统评价和荟萃分析旨在估计非洲学龄青少年中欺凌受害的合并患病率及其决定因素。
根据预先确定的纳入标准，纳入所有报告非洲学龄青少年中欺凌受害患病率及其决定因素的研究。我们遵循系统评价和荟萃分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA），这是一份报告系统评价和荟萃分析的指南。采用随机效应模型估计欺凌受害及其决定因素的合并效应量及其比值比（OR）和95%置信区间（CI）。进行漏斗图分析和Egger回归检验以评估发表偏倚。还进行了亚组分析和敏感性分析。
本系统评价和荟萃分析纳入了25项涉及41,716名学龄青少年的研究。非洲学龄青少年中欺凌受害的总体合并患病率为46.35%，95%CI为（41.45,51.24）。根据研究地区的亚组分析，非洲东部地区报告的欺凌受害率为49.17%，而南部地区为32.73%。参与肢体冲突[OR=1.86；95%CI：1.66,2.07]、当前使用毒品[OR=1.85；95%CI：1.31,2.62]、感到孤独[OR=1.98；95%CI：1.49,2.65]和感到担忧[OR=2.56；95%CI：2.12,3.1]与欺凌受害显著相关。
本综述显示，非洲学龄青少年中欺凌受害的合并患病率很高。为确保青少年的心理健康并培养有生产力的劳动力，在学校营造一个支持性环境是必不可少的。
