Prevalence of bullying among pupils in Baghdad

To find out the prevalence of bullying among primary school students in an urban centre, and to categorise its types.

The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, in Baghdad, Iraq, and comprised primary school children of either gender aged 9-15 years studying in schools in all the 3 directorates of the Al-Karkh side of the city. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with the subjects, from school data, and through interaction with social-guide teachers of the respective classes. Data was analysed using SPSS 28.

Of the 1,000 subjects from 50 schools, 537(53.7) were girls, 322(32.2%) were aged 11 years and 409(40.9%) were in the fifth grade. Overall, 146(14.6%) students reported having been bullied, 29(2.9%) were bullies themselves, while 59(5.9%) were both bullies and the bullied. It was found that almost quarter of pupils take part in bullying other pupils and almost 20% of pupils were kicked, pushed or hit by other Pupils during the last month.

Bullying was found to be prevalent in the study's sample. No clear legislation is present to prevent or control the social problem that has a significant effect on the mental and behavioural burden on students.