Table 4

Cox's proportional hazard regression model for psychological distress and emergency department presentation by sex and age group in NSW, 2002–2004

Sex, age and psychological distressa
Emergency Department Presentation Prevalence Rate Ratiob(95% CI)

Males
16–29 years
30–59 years
60+ years
Total Males

High
1.67* (1.07, 2.59)
2.46† (2.08, 2.91)
1.35 (0.77, 2.37)
1.96† (1.69, 2.28)
Moderate
1.32 (0.90, 1.94)
1.50† (1.31, 1.73)
1.26* (1.03, 1.54)
1.39† (1.20, 1.62)
Low psych distress
1
1
1
1

Females
16–29 years
30–59 years
60+ years
Total Females

High
1.35 (0.83, 2.20)
2.01† (1.68, 2.41)
1.87† (1.52, 2.30)
1.77† (1.54, 2.03)
Moderate
1.08 (0.74, 1.59)
1.47* (1.06, 2.03)
1.37* (1.03, 1.83)
1.32† (1.10, 1.57)
Low psych distress
1
1
1
1

Persons
16–29 years
30–59 years
60+ years
Total Persons

High
1.47* (1.12, 1.93)
2.19† (1.90, 2.51)
1.62† (1.29, 2.02)
1.84† (1.65, 2.06)
Moderate
1.19 (0.92, 1.53)
1.48† (1.28, 1.71)
1.30† (1.09, 1.55)
1.35† (1.20, 1.51)
Low psych distress
1
1
1
1

Source: New South Wales Population Health Survey, Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.

a Psychological Distress Scale: Low = <16; Moderate = 16–21; High: 22+.

b Controlling for alcohol consumption, smoking status, household income and marital status.

† P < 0.01. * P < 0.05.

Indig et al. BMC Public Health 2007 7:46   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-46