ABSTRACT
Introduction: Bullying victimization is a common experienceamong adolescents. Victimization is associated with negativeconsequences including negative mental outcomes, pooracademic results, and poor social relationships. We describethe various forms of bullying victimization and the predictorsof victimization among in-school adolescents in Sokotometropolis.Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectionalstudy among in-school adolescents in Sokoto metropolis.Using a multistage sampling technique, 450 respondents wereselected from public and private schools We used an adapted,validated, pretested and interviewer-administered peervictimization scale questionnaire to collect information fromrespondents. We conducted a descriptive statistic, bivariateand multivariate analysis at 5% level of significance.Results: Of the 450 respondents, 182 (40.4%) were in earlyadolescence and 220 (48.9%) were females. The mean ageof respondents was 15.2 ± 1.9 years. Two hundred and thirty(51.1%), 102 (22.7%), 38 (8.4%), 161 (35.8) respondentshad experienced physical, verbal, relational and damage-toproperty victimization respectively. Overall, 295 (65.6%) hadexperienced at least one type of bullying victimization. Beingin junior class (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.1, 95% CI= 1.2-3.5) being in a boarding school (aOR: 3.4, 95% CI= 1.7-6.8),having friends that influence decisions (aOR: 2.5 (1.1-5.6),not smoking (aOR: 3.3, 95% CI = 1.1-10.0) and not knowingschool policy on bullying (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI= 1.2-3.8) wereindependent predictors of bullying victimization.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of bullyingvictimization among in-school adolescents in Sokotometropolis. We recommend that school policy shouldprotect junior students and those in boarding schools fromvictimization.