Correlates of Physical Fighting among University Students in 25 Low and Middle Income and Emerging Economy Countries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of physical fighting among university students from 25 low and middle income and emerging economy countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 18541 university students, 41.9% men and 58.1% women, with a mean age of 20.8 years (SD=2.9), from 25 countries across Africa, Asia and Americas. Overall, 13.1% reported to have been in one or more physical fights in the past 12 months, 20.0% among men and 8.1% among women, ranging from below 5% in China, Singapore and Nigeria to above 25% in Pakistan and Russia. Multivariate logistic regression found that being male, higher economic status, weapon carrying, injury, tobacco use, binge drinking, illicit drug use, gambling, not always wearing a seatbelt, multiple sexual partners, depression, PTSD symptoms, childhood physical abuse and lack of social support were associated with physical fighting. Several clustering risk factors were identified which can be utilized in public health interventions. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p916