Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among a national population-based sample of adults in Solomon Islands

Abstract

Background: Psychological distress is an undersearched cause of poorer health in the Pacific island countries. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress in a population-based survey among 18–69 year-old persons in Solomon Islands. Method: Cross-sectional nationally representative data of 2,533 18–69 year-old persons (38 years were the median age) from the 2015 Solomon Islands STEPS survey were analysed. Results: The results indicate that 18.9% of participants had psychological distress (⩾20 scores), 13.4% had mild (20–24 scores), 4.3% moderate (25–29 scores) and 1.1% severe (30–50 scores) psychological distress. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, being divorced, separated, or widowed (AOR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.60–4.78), having had a heart attack or stroke (AOR: 3.34, 95% CI: 2.23–4.99), alcohol dependence (AOR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04–2.84), and sedentary behaviour (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.28–2.84), were positively and the consumption of 3–4 servings of fruit and vegetables (AOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42–0.92), were negatively associated with psychological distress (⩾20 scores). In addition, in a sex stratified adjusted logistic regression analysis among men, current smokeless tobacco use (AOR: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.66–14.75), was associated with psychological distress. Furthermore, in the overall unadjusted analysis, stop smoking attempts in the past 12 months and consumption of too much salt was associated with psychological distress. Conclusion: Almost one in five participants were reported psychological distress and several factors were detected which could be targeted in intervention activities.

Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among national community-based adult populations in Nauru, Tukelau and Tuvalu

“…The prevalence of PD differed among adults in the three studied small countries in Oceania, ranging from 41.5% in Nauru to 5.0% in Tokelau (average 30.4%) and was higher than in Solomon Islands (18.9%) (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021b), in Kiribati (18.1%) (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021a), other middle-income countries, such as in South Africa (23.9%) (Mthembu et al, 2017), and high-income countries, including Australia, Canada and Japan (Caron & Liu, 2011; Enticott et al, 2016; Sakurai et al, 2010). PD may be prevented and controlled by improving or expanding mental health care into general health services as well as increasing community and family support (Bachmann, 2018; Maukera & Blignault, 2015; Orotaloa & Blignault, 2012).…”

“…Psychological distress (PD) (mainly depressive and anxiety symptoms) (American Psychological Association, 2023) is often used for the description of mental health in the general population (Drapeau et al, 2014). In national population-based surveys, the prevalence of PD among adults in high-income countries ranged from 10.0% to 11.1% in Australia (Enticott et al, 2016), 20.7% in Canada (Caron and Liu, 2011) to 26.8% in Japan (Sakurai et al, 2010), and in middle income countries 23.9% in South Africa (Mthembu et al, 2017), 18.1% in Kiribati (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021a) and 18.9% in Solomon Islands (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021b). There is scant information on PD in small Pacific Island countries, such as in Nauru, Tokelau and Tuvalu, which prompted the study.…”

“…Matud et al, 2015; Mthembu et al, 2017), not married (Mthembu et al, 2017; Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021b, Takeuchi & Speechley, 1989) and were associated with PD. History of adverse life events (Caron & Liu, 2011; Lui et al, 2018), such as alcohol related problems in the family and family history of suicide or suicide attempt (Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021a), including the diagnosis of a serious disease, such as cardiovascular disease (Chittleborough et al, 2011; Kuriyama et al, 2009; Pengpid & Peltzer, 2021a, 2021b), have also been found associated with PD.…”