The objective of the study was to explore the relationship between birthplace and the treated prevalence of mental disorder in Australia. Treated prevalence rates were derived from two surveys. These were the 1989-1990 National Health Survey, carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the general practice component of a one-day mental health census carried out in the state of Victoria by the authors in 1993. Differences due to the age and sex composition of birthplace groups were controlled statistically. Treated rates of mental disorder, and the use of psychotropic medication, were consistently high amongst those born in Greece, and low amongst those born in the U.K./Ireland or in South East Asia, compared to the Australian-born. Country of birth has a significant effect on the treated prevalence of mental disorder, as reported by patients or their doctor. Further research is needed to reveal the underlying causes of these differences.
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