ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence and frequency of bullying in Nairobi public secondary schools in particular and in Kenyan schools in general is not known. Knowledge of the extent of the problem is essential in developing effective interventions. Aim: To study the prevalence and frequency of bullying in Nairobi public secondary schools; Kenya. Methods: A self-report sociodemographic questionnaire and the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire of 1991 were administered to 1 012 students from a stratified sample of public secondary schools in Nairobi. Results: Between 63.2(640) and 81.8(828) of students reported various types of bullying; both direct and indirect; with significant variations found for sex; age; class and year of study; whether in day or boarding school; and the place where bullied. Being bullied was significantly associated with becoming a bully; in turn. Discussion: Bullying is highly prevalent in Kenyan schools. Further studies are needed to characterise bullies and victims in terms of personality and environmental factors that may be associated with or conducive to bullying; as well as to determine the long-term prognosis for both bullies and victims. Further research is also required to determine the most appropriate intervention
Subject(s)
Bullying , Prevalence , SchoolsABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence and frequency of bullying in Nairobi public secondary schools in particular and in Kenyan schools in general is not known. Knowledge of the extent of the problem is essential in developing effective interventions. Aim: To study the prevalence and frequency of bullying in Nairobi public secondary schools; Kenya. Methods: A self-report sociodemographic questionnaire and the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire of 1991 were administered to 1 012 students from a stratified sample of public secondary schools in Nairobi. Results: Between 63.2(640) and 81.8(828) of students reported various types of bullying; both direct and indirect; with significant variations found for sex; age; class and year of study; whether in day or boarding school; and the place where bullied. Being bullied was significantly associated with becoming a bully; in turn. Discussion: Bullying is highly prevalent in Kenyan schools. Further studies are needed to characterise bullies and victims in terms of personality and environmental factors that may be associated with or conducive to bullying; as well as to determine the long-term prognosis for both bullies and victims. Further research is also required to determine the most appropriate intervention
Subject(s)
Bullying , Prevalence , SchoolsABSTRACT
"Background: When a patient presents with mental illness and displays psychotic symptoms which are not clearly delineated; a clinical diagnosis of psychosis is usually enter-tained. Aim: To determine the underlying Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth edition (DSM-IV) disorders in clinical entities admitted with a working diagnosis of ""psychosis"" at Mathari Psychiatric Hospital; Nairobi; Kenya. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study Method: A total of 138 patients with a working diagnosis of ""psychosis"" on admission at Mathari Hospital during the period of this study were recruited over a one-month period. Their DSM-IV diagnoses were made using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Analysis of the results was done using SPSS version 11.5. Results: Nearly three quarters (72.5) of the patients were male; 68.5were aged between 20 and 34 years and 63.7reported that they were single. Nearly half (49.2) had attained up to 12 years of formal education and 90were dependants of a member of the family. The most common DSM-IV diagnoses were schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; substance abuse; depression and anxiety disorders. Co-morbidity was recorded with an average of three DSM-IV disorders. Conclusion: ""Psychosis"" as a working diagnosis was reported in relatively young adults. The patients whose working clinical diagnosis was ""psychosis"" met the criteria for an average of three DSM-IV diagnoses. There is need for a proactive policy in clinical practice so that definitive diagnoses rather than just ""psychosis"" are made and appropriate management initiated as early as possible."