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A South African Epidemiological Study of Fatal Drownings: 2016–2021

Author

Listed:
  • Jill Fortuin

    (National Sea Rescue Institute, Cape Town 7441, South Africa
    Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa)

  • Innocent Karangwa

    (Department of Statistical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa)

  • Nongcebo Mahlalela

    (National Sea Rescue Institute, Cape Town 7441, South Africa)

  • Cleeve Robertson

    (National Sea Rescue Institute, Cape Town 7441, South Africa)

Abstract

Drowning is a serious public health concern. Low-and-middle-income countries are the most affected by drowning, as they carry 90% of the global drowning burden. The purpose of this retrospective epidemiological study is to provide an overview of fatal drownings in South Africa between 2016 and 2021. The data used for the study were obtained from the South African Police Service. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Statistical analyses included a t-test and chi-square test. The results indicate that the average number of fatal drownings per annum is 1477 in South Africa, with an average drowning rate of 2.54 per 100,000 population for the period 2016 to 2021. The KwaZulu-Natal province had the highest incidence of drowning. The 0–4-year-age group has the highest prevalence of drowning among all the age categories. More males drowned in South Africa compared to females.

Suggested Citation

  • Jill Fortuin & Innocent Karangwa & Nongcebo Mahlalela & Cleeve Robertson, 2022. "A South African Epidemiological Study of Fatal Drownings: 2016–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:15121-:d:974671
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Howland, J. & Hingson, R. & Mangione, T.W. & Bell, N. & Bak, S., 1996. "Why are most drowning victims men? Sex differences in aquatic skills and behaviors," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(1), pages 93-96.
    2. Justin-Paul Scarr & Jagnoor Jagnoor, 2021. "Mapping Trends in Drowning Research: A Bibliometric Analysis 1995–2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. David Mhlanga & Rufaro Garidzirai, 2020. "The Influence of Racial Differences in the Demand for Healthcare in South Africa: A Case of Public Healthcare," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-10, July.
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