International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 28, 306-311, Copyright © 1999 by International Epidemiological Association
MK Ahmed, M Rahman and J van Ginneken
BACKGROUND: Although the recent decline in child mortality in Bangladesh is
remarkable, death from causes other than infectious diseases and
malnutrition remains an important component of child mortality. Death from
drowning of children can be expected to be a problem in Bangladesh given
the geographical features of the country. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this
study are to determine the trend, pattern, and correlates of drowning
deaths. METHODS: Data are presented on deaths of children (1-4 years) due
to drowning derived from a longitudinal, population-based surveillance
system in operation in a rural area of Bangladesh in 1983-1995. Moreover, a
case-control study was carried out to identify the risk factors associated
with drowning. RESULTS: Deaths due to drowning ranged from about 10% to 25%
of child deaths during 1983-1995. The absolute risk of dying from drowning
remained almost the same over the study period but the proportion of
drownings to all causes of death has increased. Drowning is especially
prevalent in the second year of life. Age of the mother and parity have a
significant impact on drowning. The risk of dying from drowning increases
with the age of mother and much more sharply with the number of living
children in the family. Two socioeconomic variables did not have an
influence on the risk of drowning. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of
child deaths could be averted if parents and other close relatives paid
more attention to the safety of children. The Child Health Programme of the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh should develop health
education programmes for villagers alerting them to the dangers of drowning
and measures to prevent it.
ARTICLES
Epidemiology of child deaths due to drowning in Matlab, Bangladesh
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka.
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