OBJECTIVE

Peer physical violence (PPV) has been shown to be an early marker for development of other health-risk behaviours. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of PPV among in-school adolescents in a state in South-east, Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a cross sectional study conducted among 1,296 in-school adolescents using the Global School-based students Health Survey questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and factors associated with PPV were obtained and p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULT

The overall mean age (S.D) of participants was 15.0 ± 2.0 years and the prevalence of PPV was 43.1%. In multivariate logistic regression, predictors of PPV were gambling (AOR: 1.56; 95%CI:1.13-2.16; p = 0.007), cigarette smoking (AOR: 1.85; 95%CI:1.01-3.40; p = 0.047), serious injury in the past 1 year (AOR: 2.29; 95%CI:1.78-2.95; p < 0.001) and bully victims (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI:1.28-2.25; p < 0.001). Older adolescent age (AOR:0.37; 95%CI:0.25-0.53; p < 0.001] and being religious (AOR: 0.70; 95%CI: 0.53-0.92; p = 0.011) were protective.

CONCLUSION

There is high prevalence of PPV in the study population. The risk factors were young adolescence age, bullying, gambling, cigarette smoking, having had a serious injury and not being religious. Stricter regulations on gambling through legislation, especially as it concerns age, and adoption of school policies against bullying and cigarette smoking are recommended.