Child drowning prevention in the Philippines: the beginning of a conversation

Abstract

This study describes a process to explore factors which contribute to child-drowning deaths and allows the development of appropriate strategies to prevent similar deaths in a selected site in the Northern Philippines. Data collection techniques used in obtaining baseline data include: review of drowning mortality records; key informant interviews; focus group discussions; and community walk-throughs. Risk factors identified which could or did contribute to drowning events were: proximity to bodies of water; inadequate child supervision; lack of information/awareness of prevention strategies; and lack of drowning prevention programme(s). Measures on how to prevent drowning deaths were explored and initial interventions were implemented through a committee convened by the community. These interventions include: community education sessions; capability building measures; redesigning of community wells; development of playpens; and use of barriers. Community engagement is a crucial element in the development and implementation of any health programme. This study demonstrates that by engaging and working with the community action occurs, however, there is a need to conduct further evaluation activities to determine if the actions by the community continued beyond the project and have resulted in a decrease in drowning. One of the strengths of the process described is that it is culturally appropriate and site-specific and allows the community to find the solutions itself. Exploration and delivery of further projects in larger areas is required to reduce drowning in the Philippines. An imperative is the evaluation which will provide valuable information on whether barriers are a sustainable and acceptable means of prevention to the community in the long term.

The development of an intervention package to prevent children under five years old drowning in rural Bangladesh

“…A Government survey in Bangladesh showed that the majority of Bangladeshis used mobile phonesa third had normal phones that only provide SMS and voice SMS services, but the majority had smartphones. Research in the Philippines (21) has suggested a number of interventions to reduce the incidence of drowning, including a community education and awareness programme, capability building measures, redesigning community wells and developing fenced areas where children can play.…”

Exploring the burden of fatal drowning and data characteristics in three high income countries: Australia, Canada and New Zealand

“…In high-income countries people interact with water primarily for recreation [9–13]. By contrast, drowning in low- and middle-income countries often occurs as a result of interactions with water due to daily life or occupational endeavours [14–16]. Prevention strategies, must therefore differ to suit the environment and the unique causal factors contributing to drowning risk in different contexts.…”

Epidemiology of Drowning in Bangladesh: An Update

“…Risk factors for childhood drowning in LMICs include, but are not limited to, inadequate supervision, male sex, lack of physical barriers between people and water bodies, and lack of swimming ability [8,16,17,18]. Lack of water safety awareness, risky behavior around water, and perceived risk are also considered important risk factors [19,20,21]. Travelling on overcrowded or poorly maintained vessels and water related disasters (e.g., flood, extreme rainfall, storm surges, and tsunamis or cyclones) are also common risk factors in all age groups globally [2].…”