Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40273137›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Bullying victimization and associated factors among school-aged adolescents in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gidey Rtbey, Fantahun Andualem, Girum Nakie, Setegn Fentahun, Mamaru Melkam, Getasew Kibralew, Gebresilassie Tadesse, Belete Birhan, Techilo Tinsae, Girmaw Medfu Takelle

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Gidey RtbeyDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-4081-790X
Fantahun AndualemDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Girum NakieDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Setegn FentahunDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Mamaru MelkamDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Getasew KibralewDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gebresilassie TadesseDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Belete BirhanCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
Techilo TinsaeDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Girmaw Medfu TakelleDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBullying 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.

methodsAll 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.

resultsTwenty-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. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: 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.

Indexed as

BullyingCrime VictimsAdolescentAfricaFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceSchoolsStudents

Identifiers

PMID40273137
PMCPMC12021201

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.