A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Physical Fighting among School-Attending Adolescents in El Salvador: An Examination of the 2013 Global School-Based Health Survey
Authors: Omer M, Shaikh MA, Stiller M, Lowery Wilson M
Publication year: 2020
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal name in source: International journal of environmental research and public health
Journal acronym: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 1660-4601
eISSN: 1660-4601
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041248(external)
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/46468371(external)
Background: Violence among school-attending adolescents is an important public health problem worldwide. The present study examined demographic correlates for physical fighting behavior among a nationally representative sample of school-attending adolescents in El Salvador. Methods: Initial cross-tabulations to screen for correlations was then followed by logistic regression to understand the direction and the strength of selected demographic variables for physical fighting behavior, which occurred within a 12 month period of recall. Results: Out of a sample of 1910 school-attending adolescents in El Salvador, 11.5% reported having been involved in two or more physical fights during the recall period. Regression analyses indicated that being male (OR = 3.55; 95% CI = 2.11–6.00); having experienced bullying (OR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.44–3.24); physical activity (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.46–0.80); a sedentary lifestyle (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.05–2.27), suicide planning (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.46–3.56), and having non-understanding parents (OR = 1.45; 95% CI 1.06–1.98) were significantly associated with physical fighting among the sampled adolescents. Conclusion: Within the limitations of cross-sectional surveys conducted in school settings, the results of the present study suggest that giving attention to preventing bullying behavior among males and involving parents should be components of a multi-pronged strategy to preventing physical fighting in schools in El Salvador.
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