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© 1998 Oxford University Press

research-article

Water traffic accidents, drowning and alcohol in Finland, 1969–1995

Philippe Lunettaa, Antti Pentiläa and Seppo Sarnab

aDepartment of Forensic Medicine PO Box 40 University of Helsinki PIN-00014, Finland
bDepartment of Public Health PO Box 41 University of Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland

OBJECTIVE: To examine age- and sex-specific mortality rates and trends in water traffic accidents (WTA), and their association with alcohol, in Finland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: National mortality and population data from Finland, 1969–1995, are used to analyse rates and trends. The mortality rates are calculated on the basis of population, per 100 000 inhabitants in each age group (<1, 1–4, 5–14, 15–24, 25–44, 45–64, 65), and analysed by sex and age. The Poisson regression model and {chi}2 test for trend (EGRET and StatXact softwares) are used to analyse time trends.

RESULTS: From 1969 through 1995 there were 3473 (2.7/100 000/year; M:F = 20.4:1) WTA-related deaths among Finns of all ages. In 94.7% of the cases the cause of death was drowning. Alcohol intoxication was a contributing cause of death in 63.0% of the fatalities. During the study period the overall WTA mortality rates declined significantly (–4% per year; P < 0.001). This decline was observed in all age groups except ≥65 year olds. The overall mortality rates in WTA associated with alcohol intoxication (1987–1995) also declined significantly (–6%; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: In Finland, mortality rates in WTA are exceptionally high. Despite a marked decline in most age groups, the high mortality in WTA nevertheless remains a preventable cause of death. Preventive countermeasures targeted specifically to adult males, to the reduction of alcohol consumption in aquatic settings and to the use of personal safety devices should receive priority.

Keywords Water traffic accidents, drowning, alcohol, Finland

Accepted 24 March 1998


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