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Injury Prevention : Journal of the... Feb 2023Drowning is a significant public health challenge globally. In Africa and Ghana, drowning has remained a silent epidemic among poor communities. Limited evidence has...
BACKGROUND
Drowning is a significant public health challenge globally. In Africa and Ghana, drowning has remained a silent epidemic among poor communities. Limited evidence has challenged advances in drowning knowledge and prevention. While drowning deaths are often widely circulated in the newspapers, drowning data are not systematically organised to constitute a body of evidence sufficient for scientific exploration. Although drowning was frequent, they were poorly understood. We explore the context of drowning from multiple perspectives from the Volta-basin where the largest man-made lake in the world has become a hotspot for drowning.
METHOD
This study adopts a sequential-mix-qualitative study comprising content analysis of newspaper reports on drowning, structured-observations and in-depth interviews with boaters and fisherfolk. We first explored, the content of newspapers over a 10-year period. This information provided the context of drowning. We followed up with extensive observation of activities on the lake by a team of five. Photovoice qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 boaters, fishers and community members. Thematic content analysis was applied to both the newspaper reports and the in-depth interviews.
RESULTS
Drowning was attributed to both proximate and distal causes. Distal causes were the reasons for movement, while proximate causes were the immediate cause of the drowning. Travelling to farm, market, hospital, church, sell were important distal causes of drowning. Proximate determinants included strong winds, tree stumps, overcrowding, no-adherence to safety procedures, spiritual reasons and high tides. Four types of boat accidents were observed: boat-capsizing, boat-sinking, boat-splitting and boat-catching-fire. Ideas converged and diverged in comparing the newspaper content analysis to the photovoice interviews.
Topics: Humans; Ships; Drowning; Ghana; Qualitative Research; Public Health
PubMed: 36697022
DOI: 10.1136/ip-2022-044567 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022Drowning is a major health issue worldwide. The World Health Organization's global report on drowning states that the highest rates of drowning deaths occur among...
Drowning is a major health issue worldwide. The World Health Organization's global report on drowning states that the highest rates of drowning deaths occur among children aged 1-4 years, followed by children aged 5-9 years. Young children can drown silently in as little as 25 s, even in the shallow end or in a baby pool. The report also identifies that the main risk factor for children drowning is the lack of or inadequate supervision. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel 5G and beyond child drowning prevention system based on deep learning that detects and classifies distractions of inattentive parents or caregivers and alerts them to focus on active child supervision in swimming pools. In this proposal, we have generated our own dataset, which consists of images of parents/caregivers watching the children or being distracted. The proposed model can successfully perform a seven-class classification with very high accuracies (98%, 94%, and 90% for each model, respectively). ResNet-50, compared with the other models, performs better classifications for most classes.
Topics: Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Deep Learning; Drowning; Humans; Infant; Parents; Swimming; Swimming Pools
PubMed: 36236782
DOI: 10.3390/s22197684 -
Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi Feb 2022To retrospectively analyze diatom test cases of corpses in water and discuss the value of quantitative analysis of diatoms in the diagnosis of drowning.
OBJECTIVES
To retrospectively analyze diatom test cases of corpses in water and discuss the value of quantitative analysis of diatoms in the diagnosis of drowning.
METHODS
A total of 490 cases of water-related death were collected. They were divided into drowning group and postmortem immersion group according to the cause of death. Diatoms in lung, liver, kidney tissue and water sample were analyzed quantitatively by microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM) method. The ratios of content of diatoms in lung tissue and water sample (/) were calculated.
RESULTS
The results of diatom test for three organs (lung, liver and kidney) were all positive in 400 cases (85.5%); the content of diatom in lung, liver, kidney tissues, and water samples of drowning group were (113 235.9±317 868.1), (26.7±75.6), (23.3±52.2) and (12 113.3±21 760.0) cells/10 g, respectively; the species of diatom were (7.5±2.8), (2.6±1.9), (2.9±2.1) and (8.9±3.0) types, respectively; the / of drowning group and postmortem immersion group were (100.6±830.7) and (0.3±0.4), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative analysis of diatoms can provide supportive evidence for the diagnosis of drowning, and the parameter / can be introduced into the analysis to make a more accurate diagnosis of drowning.
Topics: Autopsy; Diatoms; Drowning; Humans; Lung; Retrospective Studies; Water
PubMed: 35725713
DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410707 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2021Drowning is a public-health threat and a leading cause of injury-related death. In Turkey, drowning results in 900 fatalities annually, and the rate is rising. As data...
Drowning is a public-health threat and a leading cause of injury-related death. In Turkey, drowning results in 900 fatalities annually, and the rate is rising. As data on rescue-related drowning are scarce, this retrospective study explores the epidemiology of fatal drowning among rescuers in Turkey. As there are no routinely collected death registry data on drowning in Turkey, data were sourced from media reports of incidents between 2015 and 2019. Rescuer fatalities were analysed by age, sex, activity prior to rescue, location, incident day of week and season, and place of death. Statistical analyses comprised X tests of significance ( < 0.05) and calculation of relative risk (95% confidence interval) using fatality rates. In total, 237 bystander rescuers drowned (90% male; 35% 15-24 years). In 33% of cases, the primary drowning victim (PDV) was successfully rescued, while in 46% of cases the rescue resulted in multiple drowning fatalities (mean = 2.29; range 1-5 rescuers). Rescues were more likely to be successful in saving the PDV if undertaken at the beach/sea (X = 29.147; < 0.001), while swimming (X = 12.504; = 0.001), or during summer (X = 8.223; = 0.029). Risk of bystander rescue-related fatal drowning was twice as high on weekdays compared to on weekends (RR = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.56-2.67). While bystanders play an important role in reducing drowning, undertaking a rescue is not without risk and can lead to multiple drowning incidents. Training in rescue and resuscitation skills (especially the prioritization of non-contact rescues) coupled with increasing awareness of drowning risk, are risk-reduction strategies which should be explored in Turkey.
Topics: Drowning; Female; Humans; Male; Rescue Work; Resuscitation; Retrospective Studies; Turkey
PubMed: 34205391
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126613 -
Applied Ergonomics Apr 2023Ensuring that pool lifeguards develop the skills necessary to detect drowning victims is challenging given that these situations are relatively rare, unpredictable and...
BACKGROUND
Ensuring that pool lifeguards develop the skills necessary to detect drowning victims is challenging given that these situations are relatively rare, unpredictable and are difficult to simulate accurately and safely. Virtual reality potentially provides a safe and ecologically valid approach to training since it offers a near-to-real visual experience, together with the opportunity to practice task-related skills and receive feedback. As a prelude to the development of a training intervention, the aim of this research was to establish the construct validity of virtual reality drowning detection tasks.
METHOD
Using a repeated measures design, a total of 38 qualified lifeguards and 33 non-lifeguards completed 13 min and 23 min simulated drowning detection tasks that were intended to reflect different levels of sustained attention. During the simulated tasks, participants were asked to monitor a virtual pool and identify any drowning targets with accuracy, response latency, and dwell time recorded.
RESULTS
During the simulated scenarios, pool lifeguards detected drowning targets more frequently and spent less time than non-lifeguards fixating on the drowning target prior to the drowning onset. No significant differences in response latency were evident between lifeguards and non-lifeguards nor for first fixations on the drowning target.
CONCLUSION
The results provide support for the construct validity of virtual reality lifeguarding scenarios, thereby providing the basis for their development and introduction as a potential training approach for developing and maintaining performance in lifeguarding and drowning detection.
APPLICATION
This research provides support for the construct validity of virtual reality simulations as a potential training tool, enabling improvements in the fidelity of training solutions to improve pool lifeguard competency in drowning detection.
Topics: Humans; Drowning; Attention; Reaction Time
PubMed: 36566527
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103954 -
Revista Espanola de Salud Publica Jun 2024Data on drownings tend to underestimate mortality from this cause. The objective of this study was to describe fatal drownings recorded in Catalonia between 2019 and... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
Data on drownings tend to underestimate mortality from this cause. The objective of this study was to describe fatal drownings recorded in Catalonia between 2019 and 2022 through forensic sources, present their characteristics, and assess the utility of this information for monitoring drowning mortality.
METHODS
A retrospective observational study based on the register of judicial deaths from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Catalonia was carried out. Data on medicolegal aetiology, aquatic environment, age, gender, date of death, and municipality of origin were analysed. Statistical analysis was based on the comparison of proportions test based on Chi-square for categorical variables and the Mann Whitney U test for the comparison of numerical variables.
RESULTS
A total of 310 drownings were recorded, with a mean age of 57.2 years and a male predominance (77.1%). The majority of drownings were unintentional (71.3%), followed by suicides (15.5%), and cases of undetermined intent (12.6%). Compared to intentional drownings, unintentional and undetermined intent drownings had a higher percentage of males than females (81.2% vs. 56%, p<0.001), and fewer cases with Spanish nationality than foreign or undetermined nationality (60% vs. 92%, p<0.001). Middle-aged and older individuals accounted for the majority of deaths, but among unintentional drownings, those recorded in pools included significantly higher percentages of children and adolescents aged zero-fourteen years than those occurring in natural waters.
CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight the importance of drowning mortality in Catalonia and the need to strengthen preventive activities, especially for children and during episodes of intense heat. Medicolegal sources are useful for monitoring drowning mortality, but it would be beneficial if they incorporated information on variables such as place of residence and nationality.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Spain; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Drowning; Aged; Adult; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Infant; Aged, 80 and over; Infant, Newborn; Sex Distribution
PubMed: 38899691
DOI: No ID Found -
Resuscitation Jun 2023Drowning results in more than 360,000 deaths annually, making it the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Prior studies examining drowning...
INTRODUCTION
Drowning results in more than 360,000 deaths annually, making it the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Prior studies examining drowning internationally have reviewed factors surrounding drowning however in the U.S. limited data exists. This study evaluated the novel drowning elements collected in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) during the first 2 years of data collection.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of the CARES database identified cases of drowning etiology for the two years 2020 and 2021. Demographics and incident characteristics were collected. Characteristics included items such as body of water, precipitating event, and who extracted patients. Survival to hospital discharge and neurological outcomes were compared between groups based on who initiated CPR using Pearson's Chi-Squared tests.
RESULTS
Among 1,767 drowning cases, 69.7% were male, 47.1% white and 11.9% survived to hospital discharge. Body of water was often natural body (36.2%) or swimming pool (25.9%) and bystanders removed the patient in 42.7% of incidents. Swimming was the most common activity at time of submersion (18.6%) however in 50.2% of cases, activity was unknown or missing. When compared to EMS/First Responder initiating CPR, odds of neurologically favorable survival were significantly higher in the Bystander initiated CPR group (OR = 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02-4.01).
CONCLUSION
In this national cohort of drowning patients in cardiac arrest, the novel CARES drowning elements provide additional detail of epidemiological factors. Bystander CPR was associated with improved neurological outcomes. Future studies utilizing the drowning elements can inform injury prevention strategies.
Topics: Humans; Male; United States; Female; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Drowning; Retrospective Studies; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Registries; Water; Emergency Medical Services
PubMed: 37030551
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109788 -
International Journal of Legal Medicine Jul 2023Drowning is a common cause of accidental death worldwide, and it continues to be a serious public health problem. However, diagnosing drowning is a challenging task in...
Drowning is a common cause of accidental death worldwide, and it continues to be a serious public health problem. However, diagnosing drowning is a challenging task in forensic investigation because it is difficult to prove actual drowning and other submerged deaths with the autopsy techniques that are currently in use. Here, we show biomarkers that may be helpful for the diagnosis of drowning. We divided the experimental animals into four groups (drowning, postmortem submersion, hypoxia, and control) to evaluate the expression patterns of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). On gene expression analysis, only ERK2 was found to be significantly increased in the drowning groups compared to the other cases. In the immunoblot analysis, phosphorylated ERK2 (p-ERK2) was found to be upregulated in the drowning groups. Immunohistochemical staining also showed that p-ERK in alveolar cells revealed a granular pattern in the drowning groups. However, the expression pattern of ERK2 over time after drowning differed between the freshwater and seawater drowning groups. Taken together, these results indicate that ERK2 may be useful for distinguishing between drowning and postmortem submersion if the postmortem interval (PMI) of drowning is short. Conversely, if the PMI is long from the time that death occurs until the discovery of dead bodies, it is possibly more helpful for identifying between freshwater and seawater drowning.
Topics: Animals; Drowning; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Forensic Medicine; Autopsy; Biomarkers; Forensic Pathology
PubMed: 36973587
DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-02992-5 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Dec 2022Describe use of drowning prevention strategies among diverse adolescents.
PURPOSE
Describe use of drowning prevention strategies among diverse adolescents.
METHODS
We analyzed 47,051 responses to 2012-2018 Washington statewide surveys of 8th-12th grade students, regarding formal swimming lessons, comfort in deep water (a measure of perceived water competency), and life jacket use in small watercraft. Using survey-weighted Poisson regression, we measured these strategies in relation to race/ethnicity, primary language, maternal education, and urbanicity.
RESULTS
78.6% of students spoke English at home. Most students reported having had formal swimming lessons (62.2%), being comfortable in deep water (65.8%), and wearing life jackets (58.5%). Students primarily speaking Spanish (11.2%) reported formal swimming lessons (PR: 0.72; 95%CI: 0.67-0.78) and perceived water competency (PR: 0.75; 95%CI: 0.70-0.80) less often than primarily English-speaking. All prevention strategies were associated with higher maternal education.
DISCUSSION
Drowning prevention strategies, access to swimming lessons, life jackets, and water competency should be promoted among low-income children and those whose primary language is not English.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Drowning; Swimming; Surveys and Questionnaires; Washington; Water
PubMed: 36088228
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.06.026 -
Journal of Travel Medicine Aug 2022Annual global travel reached an all-time high of 1.4 billion international tourist visits in 2019. It is estimated that injury accounts for close to 25% of deaths in...
BACKGROUND
Annual global travel reached an all-time high of 1.4 billion international tourist visits in 2019. It is estimated that injury accounts for close to 25% of deaths in travellers, most of which are theoretically preventable. However, there are limited data available on injury occurrence and outcomes in travellers. Our objective was to better understand the relative risk of dying from injury that arises from the novel environments and behavioural changes associated with foreign travel.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) according to PRISMA guidelines that included studies published in English since 1990 that reported injury deaths in tourists per 100 000-person years or as a proportion of total tourist deaths in comparison to a non-traveller population. We also included studies that reported data allowing calculation of these rates. Relative rates or proportions of overall injury mortality, mortality due to traffic accidents, drowning and homicide were summarized.
RESULTS
In total, 1847 articles were identified, 105 underwent full-text review, and 10 articles were suitable for data extraction. There was great variability of relative risk reported, but overall, travellers appear to have a higher risk of injury mortality than domestic populations, with relative rates of injury death ranging from 1.04 to 16.7 and proportionate mortality ratios ranging from 1.43 to 3.
CONCLUSIONS
Tourists should be aware of the increased risk of dying from road traffic hazards, drowning and homicide while traveling abroad. Specific geographies and activities associated with higher risk should be emphasized. Travel medicine practitioners and organizations that send people abroad should counsel travellers regarding these risks and seek ways to reduce them, including encouraging potential risk-mitigating behaviours. There is a need to improve systems of data collection and reporting on injury deaths in travellers and to study the impact of pre-travel and institutional interventions aimed at reducing this risk.
Topics: Drowning; Geography; Humans; Risk; Travel; Travel Medicine
PubMed: 35689484
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac074