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Fatal Drownings in Fiji.
Kathryn Murray1, Peter Carter2
11 Water Safety Council of Fiji, 3014, Lami, Fiji.
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
|February 16, 2017
Summary
Monthly fatal drownings in Fiji are significantly influenced by rainfall and public holidays/weekends. Almost half of drowning variations can be explained by these factors, highlighting the need for targeted water safety interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Drowning is a major public health issue in Fiji, ranking among the top 5 causes of death for young individuals (1-29 years).
- Understanding the factors contributing to drowning incidents is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a parsimonious statistical model explaining monthly fatal drowning occurrences in Fiji.
- To identify key environmental and social factors associated with drowning incidents.
Main Methods:
- An observational study analyzed 187 drowning incidents in Fiji from January 2012 to April 2015.
- Statistical analysis was employed to determine the relationship between monthly drownings and predictor variables.
Main Results:
- Monthly rainfall and the number of public holidays/weekend days were significantly associated with the number of fatal drownings (P < .05).
- Rainfall and public holidays/weekends explained approximately 49.76% (r² = .4976) of the variation in monthly drownings.
- Inadequate supervision, poor rescue technique knowledge, and limited water safety awareness were identified as common risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Fatal drowning incidents in Fiji are predictable to a significant extent by rainfall and public holiday/weekend periods.
- Targeted interventions, integrated into government policies and community programs, are essential for reducing drowning deaths.
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