Drowning mortality in children aged 0–14 years in Victoria, Australia: detailed epidemiological study 2001–2016

Abstract

BackgroundMajor reductions in child drowning mortality rates have been observed historically in Victoria, Australia, for the period 1863–2000. Despite this trend, drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional child death in Victoria. This study investigates the residual fatal drowning problem in the Victorian child population (0–14 years) for the period 2001–2016.AimsDescribe the epidemiology of child drowning deaths in the Victorian population in 2001–2016; investigate risk factors and direct antecedents to these deaths.MethodsPopulation-based retrospective case data were extracted from the National Coronial Information System for 16 years (January 2001–December 2016), and case-by-case analysis was conducted. Associated factors were determined using univariate and Poisson analyses.Results88 of 97 cases had information available for analysis, pools were the most frequent location (30%); 70% of all cases occurred between 08:00 and 17:00; most victims were not deliberately in the body of the water (73%), for example, the pool. Supervision lapses included carers leaving the room when the child was in the bath (16/18), siblings left to supervise the child in private pools (7/23), inadequate pool fences (8/23) or faulty/open gates (4/23), or neighbours’ pool spa (4/23). Delays in finding the child occurred when searches occurred elsewhere, before the body of water (21/88) and when carers were asleep (5/88). Fourteen of the 88 children had an intellectual disability or predisposing medical condition. The grouped Poisson analysis demonstrated that age 0–4 years, male gender and rural place of residence were significant. A downward trend in drowning rate continued in this period.Discussion and conclusionsA case-by-case analysis of a drowned population of children identified details of risk factors and antecedents not previously described. Missing data on antecedents were common, likely resulting in undercounting. Further enhancements to systematic data collection are needed. The results support a systems approach to drowning prevention.

Drowning in Children: Retrospective Analysis of Incident Characteristics, Predicting Parameters, and Long-Term Outcome

“…In the retrospective analysis, we were only able to collect limited sociodemographic data (gender and age). These are congruent with the literature [ 1 , 35 , 36 ]. We emphasize the importance to include such sociodemographic data in further investigations as they could be important factors to improve specific prevention measures.…”

Social and environmental risk factors for the accidental drowning of children under five in China

“…A study in Australia showed that inadequate care and lapses in supervision, such as indoor housework, outdoor housework, and talking/socializing, were major contributors to child drowning [20]. We also found that caregivers were occupied with housework, phone calls or socializing at the time of the drowning.…”

Next steps for drowning prevention in rural and remote Australia: A systematic review of the literature

“…There were 19 studies which reported factors. 12,20,22,23,[25][26][27][28][29][32][33][34][35]38,39,41,42,44,46 With respect to age, children were identified as being significantly more likely to drown in rural areas of Victoria, in particular 10-to 14-year-olds, 33 while children around the age of two were deemed at risk of drowning in rural water hazards in Queensland, often due to wandering. 34 Children under five were also identified at significantly increased risk of drowning in portable pools if they resided in very remote areas.…”

“…Factors linked to drowning risk in rural areas included rivers, 22 alcohol 46 and children's unsupervised access to water. 31,33 There was no indication in the literature that urban-based solutions worked or did not work in rural locations.…”