Psychological distress by Health Area
Data table
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Estimates based on 7,366 respondents in NSW. 27 (0.37%) were 'not stated' 'not stated' (Don't know or Refused) for psychological distress. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 10 (K10), a 10-item questionnaire about the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the most recent 4-week period. The categories are K10 scores: low=10-15, moderate=16-21, high=22-29 and very high=30+. Postcodes were grouped according to Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) Remoteness categories on the basis of Accessibility/Remoteness Index for Australia (ARIA+ version) score. LL/UL 95%CI = lower and upper limits of the 95% confidence interval for the point estimate.
Source
NSW Population Health Survey (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Commentary
Psychological distress has a major effect on the ability of people to work, study, and manage their day-to-day activities. The NSW Health Survey uses a 10-item questionnaire, the Kessler 10 (or K10), to yield a measure of psychological distress, based on questions about negative emotional states experienced by respondents in the four weeks prior to interview.
In NSW in 2007, reporting of high or very high psychological distress was highest for females living in remote or very remote areas (15.1%) but lowest for males living in remote or very remote areas (2.8%). In all health areas except North Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service and North Coast Area Health Service females were more likely to report high and very high psychological distress than males. Overall, reporting of psychological distress was highest in Sydney West Area Health Service (14.6%) and Sydney South West Area Health Service (14.3%) and lowest in North Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service (7.9%).
For more information
Centre for Epidemiology and Research. 2007 Report on adult health in New South Wales. Sydney: NSW Department of Health, 2008. Available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/survey/hsurvey.html
Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2004-05: Summary of results. ABS Cat. NO. 4364.0 Canberra: ABS, 2006. Available at www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4364.02004-05?OpenDocument.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. Information Paper: Use of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in ABS Health Surveys.. Catalogue no. 4817.0.55.001. Canberra: ABS, 2003. Available at www.abs.gov.au.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2001: Mental health. ABS Catalogue no. 4811.0. Canberra: ABS 2003.
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Copyright notice
This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited.
Suggested citation
Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/chorep/. Accessed (insert date of access).
Produced by
Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on 15 December 2008
