Trends in the drowning mortality rate in Iran

Abstract

ObjectiveThe WHO estimates the global incidence of death by drowning to be about 300 000 cases per year. The objective of this study was to estimate the trend in mortality due to drowning in all provinces of Iran in all age groups and both genders from 1990 to 2015.Study designThe National and Subnational Burden of Diseases (NASBOD) project is a comprehensive project in Iran. It is based on the Global Burden of Disease study and includes novel methods to estimate the burden of diseases in Iran.MethodsThis study used the results of the mortality rate due to drowning as part of NASBOD and investigated the causes behind the mortality rates. The data set recorded mortality rates by 19 age groups and two genders with the corresponding subnational pattern during the time period from 1990 to 2015.ResultsThe drowning mortality rate decreased in Iran from 1990 to 2015. From 1990 to 2015, the annual percentage change for males and females was −5.28% and −10.73%, respectively. There were 56 184 male and 21 589 female fatalities during the study period. The highest number of deaths was seen in 1993 with 4459, and the lowest number of fatalities was observed in 2015 with 903 deaths.ConclusionOur data showed a decline in drowning mortality in Iran from 1990 to 2015, but the rates and declines varied by province. Our findings are of great importance to health officials and authorities in order to further reduce the burden of drowning.

Drowning in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic literature review of the epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention

“…There were a further 11 studies [ 35 , 40 , 43 , 44 , 50 , 52 , 54 – 56 , 83 , 93 ] which reported fatal drowning rates by sex and/or age group, the majority of these studies came from Iran. When exploring the EMR as a whole, data from 2004 for children and adolescents aged 0–19 years indicated the highest fatal drowning rate among 1–4 year-olds (9.0 / 100,000 population).…”

Fatal drowning statistics from the Netherlands – an example of an aggregated demographic profile

“…Similar findings are reported in 33 European countries [ 119 ], and Australia [ 120 ]. The decrease, with rates that vary between 5 and 80%, is also reported in studies initiated in low and middle-income countries or based on the Global Burden of Disease registrations (GBD) [ 2 , 24 , 38 , 77 , 121 – 124 ]. This decreasing trend in accidental drowning is speculatively explained by better socioeconomic situations, improved infrastructure planning such as piped water supply resulting in less frequent and less easy access to water, mandatory education, safer swimming and bathing facilities, aquatic safety education and swimming lessons [ 10 , 22 , 24 , 125 – 127 ).…”

Epidemiology, Incidence and Trend of Injuries in Iran: A National Study

“…The results indicate that although the incidence of drowning is lower than the other injuries, but the mortality ratio in drowning is higher than other injuries. According to the Iranian Forensic Medicine Organization, from 2013 to 2017, 3716 deaths occurred due to drowning in Iran (Derakhshan et al, 2020), of which, about one third (1010 deaths) had happened in rivers. Unfortunately, most rivers do not have warning signs, many people do not realize how dangerous swimming can be, and due to nancial problems, they cannot enjoy the bene ts of swimming in private pools (Derakhshan et al, 2020).…”

“…According to the Iranian Forensic Medicine Organization, from 2013 to 2017, 3716 deaths occurred due to drowning in Iran (Derakhshan et al, 2020), of which, about one third (1010 deaths) had happened in rivers. Unfortunately, most rivers do not have warning signs, many people do not realize how dangerous swimming can be, and due to nancial problems, they cannot enjoy the bene ts of swimming in private pools (Derakhshan et al, 2020). According to the results of the current study, the mortality rate from falling, tra c injuries, poisoning, burns and electrocution has been declining in recent years.…”