Ability to swim among 15–75 years in mainland France and overseas departments: Results of the national survey “Baromètre Santé”

Abstract

Introduction In France, drownings are responsible for about 500 accidental deaths every summer. The majority takes place during bathing, making the ability to swim a key element of drowning prevention. Little is known about the ability to swim in French population, the purpose of this work is to provide estimations and to study the factors on this topic. Methods Respondents of the Barometre sante 2010, 2014 [in overseas departments (OD): Guadeloupe and Martinique Islands in Caribbean, Reunion Island in Indian Ocean and French Guyana and Northeast Coast of Brazil] and 2016, were interviewed on their ability to swim. The proportion of people knowing how to swim is expressed in weighted percentages (standardized cross-structure sex, age), completed with 95% confidence intervals. The sociodemographic, economic, and health factors associated with the ability to swim have been studied by logistic regression models. Results In 2010, 81.3% of respondents reported being able to swim (12.8% about 10 meters, 68.5% 50 meters or more). In 2016, they were 83.7% (14.7% about 10 meters, 69.0% 50 meters or more). The OD inhabitants declared being able to swim: 72.2% in Martinique, 69.3% in Guadeloupe, 68.6% in French Guiana, 75.0% in Reunion. Men were more able to swim than women overall (87.8% versus 75.2% in 2010 and 89.2% vs. 78.3% in 2016 in mainland France), and at all ages. Young respondents were more often able to swim than their elders (in 2016, 94.8% among 15–24 years versus 64.7% among 65–75 years in mainland France). Other factors were significantly associated with ability to swim: high-school level, higher socio-professional category, good financial situation, not living alone, normal weight, good mental health and French regions. Conclusions This work shows that more than one French out of seven do not know how to swim. The younger the people are, the higher is the proportion of people knowing how to swim. Those results are very rare in international literature. Learn to swim program launched in 60's, particularly in the school environment, is most likely responsible for considerable improvement of the ability to swim of the population, particularly among women. However, still a lot of French older than 55 years cannot swim, and it is precisely this age group, which is particularly affected by drowning. It is important to remember that the learning of swimming can be done at any age to prevent the occurrence of drowning.