Gender differences and correlates of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in Benin

Bullying is one of the important global health issues affecting both health and educational outcomes of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences and correlates of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in Benin, West Africa. A secondary analysis was conducted with Benin's national dataset among 2496 school-going adolescents aged 13 years and above from the 2016 Global School-Based Student Health Survey. The overall prevalence of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents was 42.1%, with varying rates across males (40.1%) and females (44.6%), respectively. The odds of bullying victimisation were 56% significantly higher among males in lower grades than those in higher grades (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.20-2.03). Also, there was a 32% increased odds of bullying victimisation among males who currently use alcohol compared to those who do not use alcohol (AOR = 1.32, CI 1.02-1.70). Males who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.40) and those who were seriously injured (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.41-2.30), respectively, had 78% and 80% increased odds of bullying victimisation compared to males who were not physically attacked or seriously injured. Males who engaged in physical fights had 2.03 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not engage in physical fights (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.51-2.72). For females, there were 73%, and 90% increased odds of bullying victimisation among those who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.73, CI 1.21-2.46) and those who engaged in physical fights (AOR = 1.90, CI 1.36-2.66), respectively, compared to those who were not physically attacked or involved in physical fights. The odds of bullying victimisation were 60% higher among females who were seriously injured compared to those who were not injured (AOR = 1.60, CI 1.23-2.09). Also, females who ideated suicide had 2.04 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not ideate suicide. Gender-specific variations of bullying victimisation exist among in-adolescents in Benin. Major stakeholders (teachers, school healthcare providers, and other school authorities) should be mindful of the identified risk differentials and develop effective anti-bullying intervention strategies aimed at promoting the mental health and well-being of school-going adolescents in Benin.