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. 2020 Apr 15;20(1):112.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-020-02019-2.

Prevalence and correlates of bullying in physiotherapy education in Nigeria

Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada  1 , Idowu Phebean Ogunseun  2 , Francis Oluwafunso Fasuyi  3 , Oluwafemi David Adegbemigun  3 , Clara Toyin Fatoye  4 , Opeyemi Ayodiipo Idowu  5 , Olubusola Esther Johnson  2 , Adesola Christiana Odole  6 , Adaobi Margaret Okonji  2 , Bashir Kaka  7 , Francis Fatoye  4
Affiliations

Prevalence and correlates of bullying in physiotherapy education in Nigeria

Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Background: Bullying is an unexpressed part and parcel of medical education but it is largely unexplored in physiotherapy. This study assessed the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of bullying in physiotherapy education in Nigeria.

Methods: Two hundred and nineteen clinical physiotherapy students from three purposively selected Federal Universities in Nigeria participated in this study. Following a cross-sectional design, the Students Perception of Professor Bullying Questionnaire (SPPBQ) was used to obtain information on bullying. The SPPBQ includes a working definition of lecturer bullying followed by other sections inquiring about lecturers bullying experiences. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, bullying experiences and availability of adequate policy and support on bullying. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used analyze data. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Lifetime and point prevalence of bullying in physiotherapy education were 98.6 and 99.1%. 94.5% of the respondents had witnessed physiotherapy students bullying and there was a 100% rate of 'no attempt' to stop a physiotherapy lecturer from bullying. 38.4 and 44.7% of the respondents believed there was adequate school policy and support available on bullying. There was no significant association between bullying and each of age (휒2 = 0.117, p = 0.943), gender (휒2 = 0.001, p = 0.974), level of study (휒2 = 0.000, p = 0.995) and any specific university (휒2 = 1.343, p = 0.511).

Conclusion: There is high lifetime and point prevalence of bullying in physiotherapy education in Nigeria, which are largely unchallenged or redressed. Being a clinical physiotherapy student ordinarily predisposes to bullying without necessary contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Keywords: Bullying; Modalities; Nigeria; Physical therapy; Specialty; Students.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Level of bullying among the respondents
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