Key result
Smoking, high salt, and inactivity linked to ~30% psychological distress prevalence in Nauru, Tukelau, and Tuvalu.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in three small Pacific Island countries.
Cross-Sectional (n=3,088)
Yes
Almost one in three adults in Nauru, Tukelau, and Tuvalu experience psychological distress, which is associated with cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, sedentary behavior, and history of heart attack/stroke.
Nearly one-third prevalence supports integrating mental health screening into Pacific CVD prevention; leaves open causality with lifestyle risks.
Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress (PD) in three small Pacific Island countries. Method: National cross-sectional data (pooled sample N = 3,088, 18–69 years) of participants from the STEPS surveys in Nauru (2015/16; N = 1382), Tukelau (2014; N = 554) and Tuvalu (2015; N = 1152) were analysed. Results: In the pooled sample 30.4% participants had PD (⩾20 scores), 18.1% mild (20–24 scores), 7.8% moderate (25–29 scores) and 4.4% severe (30–50 scores) PD. The prevalence of PD in Nauru was 41.5%, in Tukelau 5.0% and in Tuvalu 22.7%. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis with the pooled sample, younger age (18–39 years), alcohol family problems, heart attack/stroke, current smoking, high salt intake and high sedentary behaviour were positively associated with PD, while male sex and being from Tukelau and Tuvalu were negatively associated with PD. Conclusion: Almost one in three participants reported PD and several associated factors were found that can be targeted in population interventions.
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Pengpid et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Psychological distress (n=3,088). Sociodemographic and health factors was evaluated on Prevalence of psychological distress (PD). Psychological distress affected 30.4% of adults in Nauru, Tukelau, and Tuvalu, and was positively associated with younger age, smoking, high salt intake, and sedentary behavior.
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