Prevalence and Factors Associated with Interpersonal Violence among In-School Adolescents in Ghana: Analysis of the Global School-Based Health Survey Data

Interpersonal violence is a critical public health concern that is linked with many negative consequences, including mortality. It is the second most predominant cause of death among male adolescents aged 15–19. This study used a nationally representative data from the recent Ghana Global School-based Health Survey to examine the prevalence and factors associated with interpersonal violence among Ghanaian in-school adolescents. A total of 2214 in-school adolescents were included in the final analysis. Multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors assciated with interpersonal violence. The results of the regression analysis were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence level (CI) in all the analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The overall prevalence of interpersonal violence was 55.7%, of which the prevalences of physical fighting and attack were 38.2% and 41.5%, respectively. In-school adolescents who had an injury were more likely to experience interpersonal violence (aOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.71–3.06) compared with those who did not have an injury. The odds of interpersonal violence were higher among in-school adolescents who were bullied (aOR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.84–3.34) compared with those who were not bullied. In addition, in-school adolescents who attempted suicide (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.22–2.47), consumed alcohol at the time of the survey (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.15–3.06), and were truant (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.29–1.99) had higher odds of experiencing interpersonal violence. These factors provide education directors and school heads/teachers with the relevant information to guide them in designing specific interventions to prevent interpersonal violence, particularly physical fights and attacks in the school settings. School authorities should organize parent–teacher meetings or programs to help parents improve their relationships with in-school adolescents to prevent or minimize their risky behaviors, including physical fights.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Interpersonal Violence Among In-School Adolescents in Sri Lanka: Results From the 2016 Sri Lankan Global School-Based Health Survey

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1010539519825600 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 147-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sameera Jayan Senanayake ◽

Shanthi Gunawardena ◽

Sashimali Wickramasinghe ◽

Champika Wickramasinghe ◽

Nalika Sepali Gunawardena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Health Survey ◽

Interpersonal Violence ◽

Health Concern ◽

Sri Lankan ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Children And Young People ◽

School Based ◽

Being Bullied ◽

Violence Prevention Programs

Interpersonal violence among adolescents is an issue of global public health concern, leading to adverse physical and psychological outcomes among children and young people under the age of 18 years. This article discusses the prevalence of interpersonal violence and identifies their associated factors among school-going adolescents of ages 13 to 17 years using the data from the Sri Lankan Global School-Based Health Survey conducted in 2016. Of the 3262 students who participated, 35.1% (95% confidence interval = 31.0% to 39.5%) were physically attacked and 44.2% (95% confidence interval = 39.2% to 49.4%) were in a fight with peers, one or more times during the 12 months prior to the survey. Being bullied by peers, male sex, 13 to 15 years age group, smoking and alcohol use, considering or attempting suicide, missing classes without permission, and parents not being aware of students’ activities were associated with violence. The study highlights the need for violence prevention programs to address the risk factors among school-going adolescents.

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Extent, patterns and demographic correlates for physical fighting among school-attending adolescents in Namibia: examination of the 2013 Global School-based Health Survey

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.9075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e9075

Author(s):

Laura E. Davis ◽

Anne Abio ◽

Michael Lowery Wilson ◽

Masood Ali Shaikh

Keyword(s):

Health Survey ◽

Risky Behaviors ◽

Physical Fighting ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Related Information ◽

School Based ◽

Demographic Correlates ◽

Health Related ◽

Parental Figures

Background Physical fighting is particularly detrimental for young people, often affecting other areas of their developing lives, such as relationships with friends and family and participating in risky behaviors. We aim to quantify the amount of problematic physical fighting in Namibian adolescents and identify modifiable risk factors for intervention. Methods We used the Namibia 2013 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). This survey collects health-related information on school-attending adolescents in grades 7 to 12. We defined physical fighting as having participated in at least two physical fights in the 12 months prior to responding to the survey. Factors that may be associated with physical fighting were identified a prior based on the literature and included age, sex, anxiety, suicide planning, truancy, physical activity, bullying victimization, presence of supportive parental figures, presence of helpful peers, extent of social network, and food insecurity. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to identify factors associated with physical fighting. Results A total of 4,510 adolescents were included in the study. A total of 52.7% female. 16.9% of adolescents reported engaging in at least two physical fights in the previous year. Factors associated with an increased odds of physical fighting included having a suicide plan, anxiety, truancy, food deprivation and being bullied. Increased age and loneliness were associated with a decreased odds of physical fighting. Conclusion This study identifies problematic physical fighting among adolescents in Namibia. We recommend public health and school-based programming that simultaneously targets risk behaviours and conflict resolution to reduce rates of physical fighting.

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

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9030292 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 292

Author(s):

Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽

Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽

John Elvis Hagan ◽

James Boadu Frimpong ◽

Joshua Okyere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Youth Violence ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Health Concern ◽

Bullying Victimization ◽

Research Attention ◽

School Based

(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.

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Predictors of Anxiety-Induced Sleep Disturbance among in-School Adolescents in Ghana: Evidence from the 2012 Global School-Based Health Survey

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs11020020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 20 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽

Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽

Francis Arthur-Holmes ◽

Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽

James Boadu Frimpong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Emotional Disorders ◽

Health Survey ◽

Safety Concern ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

School Based ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression

(1) Background: Psychological problems of adolescents have become a global health and safety concern. Empirical evidence has shown that adolescents experience diverse mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, and emotional disorders). However, research on anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents has received less attention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study’s central focus was to examine factors associated with t anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents in Ghana. (2) Methods: Analysis was performed using the 2012 Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS). A sample of 1342 in-school adolescents was included in the analysis. The outcome variable was anxiety-induced sleep disturbance reported during the past 12 months. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results from the multivariable logistic regression analysis were presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and with a statistical significance declared at p < 0.05. (3) Results: Adolescents who went hungry were more likely to report anxiety-induced sleep disturbance compared to their counterparts who did not report hunger (aOR = 1.68, CI = 1.10, 2.57). The odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance were higher among adolescents who felt lonely compared to those that never felt lonely (aOR = 2.82, CI = 1.98, 4.01). Adolescents who had sustained injury were more likely to have anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (aOR = 1.49, CI = 1.03, 2.14) compared to those who had no injury. Compared to adolescents who never had suicidal ideations, those who reported experiencing suicidal ideations had higher odds of anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (aOR = 1.68, CI = 1.05, 2.71). (4) Conclusions: Anxiety-induced sleep disturbance among in-school adolescents were significantly influenced by the psychosocial determinants such as hunger, loneliness, injury, and suicidal ideation in this study. The findings can help design appropriate interventions through effective strategies (e.g., early school-based screening, cognitive-behavioral therapy, face-face counseling services) to reduce psychosocial problems among in-school adolescents in Ghana.

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Individual and contextual factors associated with barriers to accessing healthcare among women in Papua New Guinea: insights from a nationwide demographic and health survey

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihaa097 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽

Ebenezer Agbaglo ◽

Louis Kobina Dadzie ◽

Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽

Edward Kwabena Ameyaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Papua New Guinea ◽

Health Survey ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Contextual Factors ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

New Guinea ◽

Wealth Quintile ◽

Demographic And Health Survey ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Background This study sought to assess the individual and contextual factors associated with barriers to accessing healthcare among women in Papua New Guinea. Methods The study was conducted among 14 653 women aged 15–49 y using data from the 2016–2018 Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey. The outcome variable was barriers to accessing healthcare. Descriptive and multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was declared at P < 0.05. Results Women aged 15–19 y were more likely to experience at least one barrier compared with those aged 40–49 y (adjusted OR [AOR]=1.48; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.86). Women with secondary/higher education (AOR=0.68; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.81), women in the richest wealth quintile (AOR=0.36; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.46) and those in the least disadvantaged socioeconomic status (AOR=0.46; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.64) had lower odds of having challenges with at least one barrier to healthcare. However, living in rural areas increased the odds of facing at least one barrier to healthcare (AOR=1.87; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.77). Conclusions This study has demonstrated that both individual and contextual factors are associated with barriers to healthcare accessibility among women in Papua New Guinea. To enhance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 3.1, 3.7 and 3.8, it is critical to deem these factors necessary and reinforce prevailing policies to tackle barriers to accessing healthcare among women in Papua New Guinea.

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Predictors of home births among rural women in Ghana: analysis of data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-020-03211-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eugene Budu

Keyword(s):

Maternal Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Rural Women ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Northern Region ◽

Demographic And Health Survey ◽

Wealth Status ◽

Home Births ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Background Home births is one of the factors associated with maternal mortality. This study examined the predictors of home births among rural women in Ghana. Methods Data for this study was obtained from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of Ghana. For the purpose of this study, a sample size of 2,101 women in the rural areas who had given birth within five years prior to the survey and had responses on variables was considered. Data processing, management and analysis were carried out using STATA version 14.0. This study carried out bivariate and multivariate analyses and results were tested at 95% confidence interval. The Adjusted odds ratios were used to present the results and the level of statistical significance was assessed using 95% confidence intervals. Results Home births was found to be high among women who resided in the Northern region compared to those in the Western region [AOR, 1.81 CI = 1.10–2.98]. Similarly, the likelihood of home birth was high among women with four or more births [AOR, 1.46 CI = 1.03–2.05] and Traditionalists [AOR, 2.50 CI = 1.54–4.06]. Conversely, giving birth at home was low among women with higher level of education [AOR = 0.58, CI = 0.43–0.78], those with rich wealth status [AOR = 0.19, CI = 0.10–0.38], those with four or more ANC visits [AOR = 0.11, CI = 0.15–0.23] and those who were covered by NHIS [AOR = 0.58, CI = 0.46–0.72]. Conclusions Over the years, there have been efforts by governments in Ghana to make maternal health services free in the country. However, a substantial proportion of women still undergo home births. To reduce the utilization of home births in Ghana, it is essential that government and non-governmental organisations make the cost of delivery services part of the free maternal health care policy and take into consideration the factors associated with the high rates of home births among rural women in Ghana.

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Reasons and multilevel factors associated with unscheduled contraceptive use discontinuation in Ethiopia: evidence from Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-8088-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kibrom Taame Weldemariam ◽

Kebede Embaye Gezae ◽

Haftom Temesgen Abebe

Keyword(s):

Health Survey ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Model Comparison ◽

Contraceptive Use ◽

Contextual Effect ◽

Health Concern ◽

Utilization Rate ◽

Operating Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Background Contraceptive discontinuations for reasons other than the desire for pregnancy are a public health concern because of their negative effect on reproductive health outcomes. In Ethiopia, the contraceptive discontinuation rate is increasing; however the factors associated are poorly understood. So this study was aimed at assessing reasons and multilevel factors for unscheduled contraceptive use discontinuation. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of Ethiopian women who participated in the Ethiopian demographic health survey from January 18, 2016, to June 27, 2016. Ever using any contraceptive with in the calendar of the survey were an inclusion criteria for which 3835 women were found eligible. The data were analyzed using multilevel binary logistic regression in STATA version 14. Variables with p-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant, and reported using adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Median odds ratio and interval odds ratio, to quantify the magnitude of the general and specific contextual effect respectively, were used. Receiver operating characteristics curve and akaike’s information criterion were used for model comparison. Result The prevalence of unscheduled contraceptive use discontinuation was 46.18% for the principal reason of method related problems (Side effects-45.3%, needing better method-33.6%, and inconvenience-21.1%,). Women heading a household (AOR = 1.281, 95%CI 1.079–1.520), women who had no work (AOR = 0.812, 95%CI 0.673, 0.979) compared to professionals, living in poorest house hold income (AOR = 0.753, 95%CI 0.567, 0.997) compared to middle, residing in community with low contraceptive utilization rate (AOR = 1.945, 95%CI 1.618, 2.339), residing in poor community (AOR = 0.763, 95%CI 0.596–0.997), and having more children, and region were found to be significant predictors of unscheduled contraceptive use discontinuation. Conclusion Method related problems were found to contribute for more than half of the contraceptive use discontinuation. Both individual and community level factors were found to significantly influence the Unscheduled contraceptive use discontinuation. The outcome was common in groups who could have more social interactions and knowledge on which myths and rumors are common. So strengthening the efforts to reduce contraceptive use discontinuation and quality of contraceptive service provision could be important.

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Retrospective Analysis of Metabolic Syndrome: Prevalence and Distribution in Executive Population in Urban Pakistan

International Journal of Family Medicine ◽

10.1155/2012/649383 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Niloufer Sultan Ali ◽

Ali Khan Khuwaja ◽

Adnan-ur-Rahman ◽

Kashmira Nanji

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Concern ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

History Of

Background. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern. Objective. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of MetS, its components, and factors associated with MetS amongst apparently healthy individuals in Pakistan. Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the executive Clinics of Aga Khan Hospital, Pakistan. Medical records of patients aged ≥18 years visiting the clinics from July 2011 to December 2011 were consecutively reviewed. Records in which either MetS components data or 10% of overall data was missing were excluded. A total of 1329 participants’ records was included in final analysis. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with MetS. Results. A total of 847 (63.7%) participants had MetS; mean age of the participants were 47.6 ± 11.6 years. About 70.4% were males and 29.6% were females. Approximately 70% of participants had BMI ≥25 kg/m2. MetS was associated with male gender (AOR = 2.1; 95% C.I: 1.6–3.2) and history of diabetes among parents (AOR = 3.0; 95% C.I: 1.6–6.0). Conclusion. This study shows that a large proportion of population has MetS and is overweight or obese. This requires urgent interventions on part of health care providers’ especially family physicians. Educating masses about life style factors can make a difference. Further researches on this issue are warranted.

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Abdominal obesity as a risk factor for stroke in Abuja, Nigeria

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20213394 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2573

Author(s):

Gerald A. Onwuegbuzie ◽

Peter Alabi ◽

Fatima Abdulai

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Health Concern ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Obesity in Africa has remained a public health concern, which is been fueled by urbanization and its attendant lifestyle changes which includes less energy demanding jobs, sedentary lifestyle and adopting detrimental western eating habits. There are well established risk factors for stroke, however the association of obesity with that of stroke is less clear.Methods: This study was designed to determine whether abdominal obesity is independently associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. It is a case control study of 113 patients in which structured questionnaire was administered to consecutive patients admitted into the medical wards. The controls were matched for age and sex from a database with participants of the population-based cohort study. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SAS software (SAS Institute) 9.4.Results: In the study 85% of the patients had hypertension, 50.5% had hypercholesterolemia and 33.6% had diabetes. The BMI was normal for most of the cases (23.3% vs. 76.7% p<0.0001) while the WHR was increased for most of the cases (70.9% vs. 29.1% p<0.0001). The statistical significance shows that WHR was more sensitive in assessing obesity than BMI. The logistic regression analysis, in model 1 unadjusted and model 2 adjusted for sex and age, BMI showed a positive association with risk of stroke (OR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.17; p=0.002) this association lost its significance in model 3 after adjusting for diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.96-1.13; p=0.3751). The results of logistic regression analysis for WHR for model 1, model 2 and model 3 did not show any significance before and after adjustment.Conclusions: Abdominal obesity may increase the risk of ischemic stroke through conventional vascular risk factors, but not as an independent risk factor.

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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMA IN BRAZILIAN ADOLESCENTS: NATIONAL ADOLESCENT SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH SURVEY (PENSE-2012)

Revista Paulista de Pediatria ◽

10.1590/1984-0462/;2019;37;4;00002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 406-413

Author(s):

Bianca Caroline Elias ◽

Janiquelli Barbosa Silva ◽

Laís Amaral Mais ◽

Sarah Warkentin ◽

Tulio Konstantyner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Health Survey ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Alcoholic Beverage ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

9Th Grade ◽

School Based

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify factors associated with asthma in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on data from the 2012 National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE), a Brazilian survey applied by a self-reported questionnaire in a representative sample of 9th-grade students. Descriptive and inferential analysis was made based on the demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, food consumption and environmental characteristics potentially associated with asthma. Adolescents who presented wheezing in the last 12 months were considered asthmatic. A multiple logistic regression model was adjusted for confounding factors. Significance was defined as p≤0.05. Results: A total of 106,983 adolescents were studied. The prevalence of asthma was 23.2%. The final model was composed of 11 variables that were independently associated with asthma: female sex (OR=1.17), <14 years old (OR=1.12), not living with parents (OR=1.06), the highest number of days consuming ultra-processed foods (OR=1.16), lunch or dinner time without presence of parents or guardians (OR=1.13), meals in front of the TV or while studying (OR=1.18), not having breakfast frequently (OR=1.22), having smoked cigarettes (OR=1.36), having tried alcoholic beverage (OR=1.37), having used illicit drugs (OR=1.29) and having sought health care in the last year (OR=1.67). Conclusions: The results of the present study reinforce the multifactorial characteristic of asthma diagnosis. Prevention and control strategies should focus on groups of adolescents living in inadequate conditions when it comes to family dynamics, food consumption and behavior (drug use).

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