Table 2 Factors associated with psychological distress

Age

Below 18 years

(ref)

(ref)

0.577

18 years and above

1.48 (1.11–1.97)

1.10 (0.78–1.55)

Gender

Female

(ref)

–

–

Male

1.07 (0.82–1.39)

Type of student

Boarding

1.25 (0.92–1.71)

–

–

Day

(ref)

Type of school

Private

1.06 (0.82–1.38)

–

–

Public

(ref)

1.94

Mixed (both sex)

2.04 (1.38–3.01)

(1.19–3.15)

0.007**

Single-sex

(ref)

(ref)

Residence

Urban/town

(ref)

–

–

Sub-urban

1.29 (0.98–1.70)

Religion

Catholic

1.60 (1.04–2.46)

1.35 (0.81–2.26)

0.250

Moslem

1.15 (0.65–2.02)

1.01 (0.52–1.96)

0.986

Protestant

1.09 (0.68–1.75)

0.91 (0.52–1.50)

0.737

Pentecostal

1.18 (0.74–1.88)

1.09 (0.63–1.89)

0.760

Other

(ref)

(ref)

Family type

Both parent alive

(ref)

(ref)

One parent alive

1.50 (1.02–2.20)

1.36 (0.89–2.09)

0.155

Orphan

1.47 (0.70–3.12)

1.28 (0.54–3.07)

0.575

Guardian/caretaker

Parents

(ref)

–

–

Others

1.15 (0.71–1.88)

Parents’ marital status

Married/cohabiting

1.07 (0.71–1.60)

–

–

Separated/widowed

(ref)

Mobile phone ownership

No

(ref)

(ref)

0.062

Yes

1.73 (1.32–2.26)

1.35 (0.98–1.84)

Social support

No

(ref)

–

–

Yes

1.08 (0.76–1.53)

Exam failure

No

(ref)

–

–

Yes

1.28 (0.93–1.76)

Chronic illness

No

(ref)

(ref)

0.004**

Yes

1.89 (1.37–2.61)

1.68 (1.18–2.38)

Risky sex behaviour

No

(ref)

(ref)

0.042*

Yes

1.97 (1.38–2.83)

1.52 (1.02–2.28)

Substance use

No

(ref)

(ref)

< 0.001***

Yes

2.43 (1.82–3.24)

2.06 (1.49–2.84)