Psychological distress among a cross-sectional national sample of adolescents in South Africa: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Psychological distress (PD) may be common among adolescents. The study aimed to estimate population-based rates of PD among adolescents in South Africa. We analysed cross-sectional national data from 2 240 adolescents (median age = 17 years) that participated in the 2012 South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). The SANHANES-1 is a community-based population survey. Results indicated that 16.0% (one in six adolescents in South Africa) of the adolescents had PD: 13.1% among boys and 18.5% among girls. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, predictors of PD were increasing age, girls, belonging to the black African population group, having experienced two or more traumatic life events, poor self-rated health status, having activity limitations, perceived body overweight, and fast food and snack consumption. Results show that socio-demographic and health risk factors are associated with PD among adolescents in South Africa. Interventions aimed at reducing PD and other health risk factors are needed.