Self-poisoning among four immigrant groups.

Rates of deliberate self-poisoning in four immigrant groups, Asian, West Indian, Irish and Scottish were compared with those of English-born residents in an inner-city area of Birmingham. For both Asian and West Indian groups males and older females were underrepresented but young females had rates similar to the English group. Irish females and Scottish of both sexes were overrepresented. The rates of self-poisoning for all four immigrant groups considerably exceeded those of their country of origin, the difference being most marked among young Asian females. Explanations for these findings are examined.