Psychological distress is negatively associated with ideal cardiovascular health behaviour in nationally representative school sample of adolescents in Vanuatu

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, distribution, and correlates of ideal cardiovascular health behaviour (CVHB) among adolescents in Vanuatu. Data from the cross-sectional nationally representative school-based student health survey in Vanuatu in 2016 were analyzed that had complete CVHB measurements. The prevalence of poor (0-1 ideal metrics) CVHB was 12.4%, intermediate (2 ideal metrics) 34.1%, and ideal CVHB (3-4 ideal metrics) 53.5%. Only 6.2% had ideal CVHB (all 4 metrics), 38.2% intermediate CVH (≥1 metric in the intermediate category and none in the poor category), and 55.6% had poor CVH (≥1 metric in poor category). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, multiple psychological distress (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 0.59, 95% Confidence Interval-CI: 0.42-0.84) was negatively associated with meeting 3-4 ideal CVHB metrics. In addition, in the unadjusted analysis, male sex was negatively and school attendance and peer support were positively associated with meeting 3-4 ideal CVHB metrics. The proportion of meeting 3-4 ideal CVHB metrics was low among adolescents in Vanuatu. School-wide intervention programmes should be implemented in aiding to improve CVHB in Vanuatu.