Changes in drowning mortality rates and quality of reporting from 2004\u20132005 to 2014\u20132015: a comparative study of 61 countries

Ching-Yi Lin,Tsung-Hsueh Lu,Liang-Yi Wang

doi:10.1186/s12889-019-7749-2

Abstract

BackgroundThis study assessed international variations in changes in drowning mortality rates and the quality of reporting specific information in death certificates over the past decade.MethodsDrowning mortality data of 61 countries were extracted from the World Health Organization Mortality Database. We calculated the percentage change (PC) in age-standardized drowning mortality rates and percentage of drowning deaths reported with unspecified codes between 2004 and 2005 and 2014–2015.ResultsOf the 61 countries studied, 50 exhibited a reduction in drowning mortality rates from 2004 to 2005 to 2014–2015. Additionally, five countries—Lithuania, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, and El Salvador—with a high mortality rate in 2004–2005 (> 40 deaths per 100,000) showed improvement (PC < − 32%). By contrast, four countries—South Africa, Guyana, Morocco, and Guatemala—exhibited a more than twofold increase in mortality rates. Regarding the quality of reporting, 34 countries exhibited a decrease in the percentage of unspecified codes. Additionally, three countries—Paraguay, Serbia, and Croatia—with moderate and high percentages of unspecified codes (> 40%) exhibited a marked reduction (PC < − 60%), whereas three countries—Malaysia, Belgium, and Nicaragua—exhibited a notable increase.ConclusionsLarge international variations in the extent of changes in drowning mortality rates and the quality of reporting specific information on the death certificate were observed during the study period.

Highlights

This study assessed international variations in changes in drowning mortality rates and the quality of reporting specific information in death certificates over the past decade
Large international variations in the extent of changes in drowning mortality rates and the quality of reporting specific information on the death certificate were observed during the study period
For countries with a drastic increase and decline in drowning mortality rates between 2004 and 2005 and 2014–2015 and countries with a higher ranking during 2014–2015, we further examined the changes in drowning mortality rates by age group

Summary

Introduction

This study assessed international variations in changes in drowning mortality rates and the quality of reporting specific information in death certificates over the past decade. According to the Global Report on Drowning, the key risk factors for drowning deaths are lack of barriers controlling exposure to water bodies and lack of adequate supervision for infants and young children. Poor swimming skills and lack of awareness are contributing factors to drowning deaths. High-risk behaviour, including consuming alcohol while swimming, may lead to drowning among young individuals and adults. The World Health Organization (WHO), has suggested 10 effective measures to prevent drowning deaths, ranging from community-based solutions such as day care for children and barriers controlling access to water to effective national policies and legislations regarding water safety including setting and enforcing boating, shipping, and ferry regulations [2]

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