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

Psychological distress is an undersearched cause of major burden of disease in the Pacific island countries. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress in a community-based study among persons aged 18-69 years in Kiribati. Cross-sectional nationally representative data of 2,156 adults (37 years were the median age) from the "2015-16 Kiribati STEPS survey" were analyzed. The results indicate that 18.1% of participants had psychological distress, 13.6% among men and 21.6% among women. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, female sex, cohabiting, alcohol family problems, history of family members who had attempted suicide, having had a heart attack, angina, or stroke, having three or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and moderate and high physical activity were associated with psychological distress. In addition, in sex stratified adjusted logistic regression analysis among men, three to less than six hours sedentary behavior was positively, and older age and having secondary or more education were negatively associated with psychological distress, and among women older age was positively and passive smoking and daily tobacco use were negatively associated with psychological distress. More frequent fruit and vegetable consumption was among men and moderate and high physical activity was among women positively associated with psychological distress. Almost one in five participants were reported psychological distress and several factors were detected which could be targeted in intervention activities.