DROWNING 60% MALE DEC FEB $688, GOLDFIELDS 5.7 NORTH METRO 5.1 SOUTH METRO 6.6 SOUTHWEST N/A

Transcription

1 In Western Australia there were 196 DEATHS DUE TO DROWNING WHERE AGE RANGE KIMBERLEY HOSPITALISATIONS MALE / FEMALE % 632 COST 60% MALE WHEN 0-4 YRS PILBARA MIDWEST APPROX BED DAYS $688,609 FOCUS In Western Australia Aboriginal people make up 3.8% of the population, however between 2008 and % of Drowning hospitalisations were Aboriginal People. MORE INJURIES OCCUR IN DEC FEB 5.7 NORTH METRO 5.1 SOUTH METRO 6.6 SOUTHWEST WHEATBELT 8.0 GOLDFIELDS GREAT SOUTHERN Age-standardised hospitalisation rates expressed per 100,000 person years.

2 Definition of Drowning Drowning is the experience of respiratory impairment or suffocation, due to submersion in some form of liquid. 1 The term drowning is sometimes used to describe events that did not result in death. 1 Impact of Drowning on Western Australia WHO DOES IT IMPACT? In Western Australia between 2007 and 2011, there were 196 deaths due to drowning. 21 In Western Australia between 2008 and 2012 there were: 632 hospitalisations due to drowning. 3 60% of hospitalisations for drowning were males. 3 people aged 0-4 had the highest incidence of drowning. 3 In Western Australia Aboriginal People make up 3.8% of the population, however between 2008 and % of drowning hospitalisations were Aboriginal People. 3 WHEN DOES IT OCCUR? In Western Australia between 2008 and 2012, hospitalisations for drowning were greater in December (14.9%), January (16.3%) and February (9.5%). 2 WHERE DOES IT OCCUR? In Western Australia between 2008 and 2012, the regions with the top three age-standardised rates for hospitalisations for drowning were the Goldfields (8.0), South West (6.6) and the North Metro (5.7). 4 The age-standardised hospitalisation rates are standardised with the Australian 2001 population and expressed per 100,000 person years. IMPACT ON THE HEALTH SYSTEM In Western Australia in 2012, there were 141 hospitalisations for drowning, consuming an estimated 272 bed days at an approximate cost of $688,609. 4

3 Determinants of Drowning (Risk / Protective Factors) SOCIAL DETERMINANTS SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS People in areas of lower socioeconomic status are approximately four times as likely to drown than those in areas of higher socioeconomic status, due to less experience with water and less access to water safety education programs. 5 ENVIRONMENTAL, COMMUNITY AND ORGANISATIONAL DETERMINANTS FENCING AND SAFETY BARRIERS Inadequate fencing and ineffective safety barriers to private swimming pools are a commonly reported factor in drowning in children. 6 BEHAVIOURAL AND INDIVIDUAL DETERMINANTS ACCESS TO WATER SAFETY PROGRAMS AND SWIMMING ABILITY Lack of swimming ability is a key risk factor for drowning. 6 Culturally and linguistically diverse populations (CaLD) are over-represented in the Western Australian drowning statistics due to low safety awareness and low participation levels in water safety programs. 7 ADULT SUPERVISION Lack of adult supervision has been identified as an important determinant of drowning in children. 6 This includes parental or carer neglect and a lack of adequate inspection of barriers, i.e. parents and carers thinking the child in their care cannot access the pool. 6 ALCOHOL USE Alcohol use can affect a person s judgment and swimming ability, making consumption a key determinant for drowning. 3 Alcohol consumption may also have physiological effects while a person is submerged, for example, by increasing hypothermia. 6 Effective Interventions LEGISLATION, POLICIES, STANDARDS AND CODES OF PRACTICE POOL FENCING LEGISLATION Thorough education programs are required to raise public awareness of the legislation that safeguards against drowning in the home. 6 Current legislation in Western Australia states that all private swimming pools must be installed with a fence restricting children under the age of five from entering the pool area. Doors or windows leading out to the pool area must be self-closing and self-locking. 6 Page 2

4 ENVIRONMENTAL, COMMUNITY AND ORGANISATIONAL INITIATIVES WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGNS Education is also required around the risks of drowning in the home and the importance of secure barriers for toddlers and children and water safety. 6 A campaign aimed at reducing alcohol-related injury around water was launched in Western Australia in 2004 called Don t Drink and Drown. This was a mass media campaign run by Royal Life Saving WA. 8 The Multicultural BeachSAFE program is run by Surf Life Saving WA and aims to develop water skills in culturally and linguistically diverse groups through surfing and beach activities. 9 LIFEGUARDS Effective lifeguard patrolling at beaches and popular swimming locations is essential for preventing drowning. 6 Some community organisations, such as Surf Life Saving WA, provide surveillance, protection, medical assistance and rescue services at all patrolled beaches in Western Australia. 9 GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVES FIRST AID TRAINING CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and First Aid training courses are provided for all people from beginners through to experts, as well as refresher training courses. 8 A variety of providers, such as Royal Life Saving WA and Surf Lifesaving WA, offer CPR and First Aid training, both face to face and through online e-learning platforms. 8 9 Key stakeholders in Western Australia Department of Health Department of Sport and Recreation Kidsafe WA Royal Life Saving WA St John Ambulance Surf Lifesaving WA Water Corporation Page 3

5 Western Australian Police, Water Police Department For more information download Injury Prevention in Western Australia: A Review of Statewide Activity for Selected Injury Areas References 1 Violence and Injury Prevention: Drowning, (2015) World Health Organization. Retrieved from injury/drowning/en/ 2 Department of Health, Western Australia. (2015). Health Condition Overview: External causes of mortality deaths Western Australia State 3 Department of Health, Western Australia. (2015). Specific Health Condition Analysis: Accidental drowning, submersion, threats to breathing hospitalisations by external cause (injury and poisoning) Western Australia State 4 Department of Health, Western Australia. (2015). Area comparisons: Accidental drowning, submersion, threats to breathing hospitalisations by external cause (injury and poisoning) Comparison between health region. 5 Department of Health, Western Australia. Injury prevention in Western Australia: A review of statewide activity. Perth; Chronic Disease Prevention Directorate, Department of Health Don t Drink and Drown, (2015) Royal Life Saving WA. Retrieved from 9 First Aid Training, (2015) Surf Life Saving WA. Retrieved from Acknowledgement Know Injury would like to thank the Western Australian Department of Health, Chronic Disease Prevention Directorate and Epidemiology Branch for providing content for these fact sheets. Page 4