Prevalence and Patterns of Bullying Among In-School Adolescents in Calabar, Cross River State

Ekpenyong NO; Isika AI; Asuquo BJ; Freedman IL; Nkanu EE; Obarein EC; Timothy IC; Robert IC; Ekanem AM

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i4.1375

Authors

Ekpenyong NO Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Isika AI Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Asuquo BJ Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Freedman IL Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Nkanu EE Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Obarein EC Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Timothy IC Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Robert IC Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Ekanem AM Department of Community Medicine, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i4.1375

Keywords:

Bullying, School Violence, Adolescents, Prevalence, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Bullying is a pervasive form of school violence with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences for adolescents. Despite extensive research in developed countries, limited data exist on the prevalence and patterns of bullying in Nigerian schools, particularly in Calabar, Cross River State. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of bullying among secondary school students in Calabar, Nigeria, and to provide evidence for policy and intervention strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 293 students selected through multistage sampling from 15 secondary schools in Calabar. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 25.

Results: The prevalence of bullying experience was 91.8%, while 93.9% of students reported perpetrating bullying. Verbal bullying was the most common form experienced (86.0%) and perpetrated (83.3%), followed by physical (78.5% vs. 64.5%), relational (76.5% vs. 54.9%), and cyberbullying (33.1% vs. 31.7%).

Conclusion: Bullying among adolescents in Calabar is alarmingly prevalent, with most students reporting both victimization and perpetration. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive school-based violence prevention programs, mental health support services, and community engagement to address peer dynamics and power imbalances that sustain bullying. Aligning interventions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 16.2 and SDG 4) will be critical in safeguarding adolescents’ rights to education, health, and well-being.