Citation

Maniam T. Br. J. Psychiatry 1988; 153: 222-225.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3255436

Abstract

Ninety-five cases of suicide and 134 cases of parasuicide that occurred between October 1973 and September 1984 in the hill resort district of Cameron Highlands in Malaysia were analysed. Eighty-one per cent of suicides and 78% of parasuicides were of Indians, although they only form 25% of the population. The average annual suicide rate for Indians (over 10 years of age) was 157 per 100,000. About 94% of suicides and 66% of parasuicides were by ingesting agricultural poisons. The age- and sex-specific suicide rates for women were highest in the 20-24-year-old age group. Some possible reasons for high suicide rates among Indians are discussed.

Language: en