Drowning risk perceptions among rural guardians of Thailand: A community-based household survey

This study aims to describe drowning risk perceptions of guardians and to identify barriers to developing a child’s swimming skills. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among guardians of children who attended 12 schools serving 48 villages in a rural community. The results revealed that less than one-fifth (18%) of children in the household could swim. Guardians reported that children should learn to swim at the age of seven years. About one-quarter (23%) of guardians did not perceive drowning as the leading cause of death among children. More than a quarter (25.4%) perceived that their child was not at the risk of drowning. No statistical differences were reported on drowning perception among guardians with different swimming skills as well as child’s swimming skill. Significantly more parents of children who could not swim perceived lack of swimming instructors, clean water and school swimming lessons as barriers to a child’s acquisition of swimming skill. The results highlight the need to consider improving the infrastructure in rural areas to facilitate swimming skills for school children to reduce drowning risk.
Source: Journal of Child Health Care - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Articles Source Type: research