Analysis of Climate and Income-Related Factors for High Regional Child Drowning Mortality in China

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the relationship between regional climatic factors and child drowning in China.Methods: Provincial age-specific drowning rate, climatic and income data were collected. We conducted a geographically weighted regression to evaluate the association between drowning and climatic factors. A generalized additive model was used to comprise a bivariate term with which to investigate the interaction of environmental risk factors and whether such interactions influence drowning mortality.Results: In southern China, an abundance of water systems and increased precipitation, as well as hotter and longer summers, lead to significantly higher drowning compared with that in northern China. Long summers and low economic performance in parts of Xinjiang were key factors for its high drowning mortality rate. Linear and nonlinear joint effects were observed between the risk factors of drowning.Conclusion: Different regions should use adaptive measures to reduce drowning risks, for example, communication campaigns during the summer period or when the weather changes.

Association between maternal health service utilization and under-five mortality rate in China and its provinces, 1990–2017

“…Other factors influencing child health outcomes in Xinjiang still need to be further explored. Some environmental influences can be considered, such as the long summers and low economic performance in some areas of Xinjiang, which are key factors in the high rate of child drowning mortality [36]. In addition, the analysis from intra-provincial suggests that we should also pay attention to U5MR in special populations.…”