Suicide and parasuicide in a hill resort in Malaysia.
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.
Maniam
T
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Department of Psychiatry, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000453:epidemiology*
D010575:Pesticides