A study of fatal drownings recently revealed that drownings occurred more frequently in freshwater in South Africa during 2016 \u2013 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is always assumed that drownings occur more in the ocean, but the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says an abundance of resources are deployed to prevent these drownings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDrowning 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,\u201d according to the NSRI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Jill Fortuin, executive director of drowning prevention at the NSRI, says the the purpose of the study, \u201cA South African Epidemiological Study of Fatal Drownings: 2016-2021\u201d which was conducted by the NSRI, is to provide an overview of fatal drownings in South Africa between 2016 and 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the study, the Western Cape was in fourth place with 864 drownings reported for the period. The results of this study have indicated that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province had the highest incidence of drowning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn addition to that, the 0-4 year age group has the highest prevalence of drowning among all the age categories,\u201d adds Fortuin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the study, males represent 81% of all the drownings for the time period of the study, which can be attributed to more risky behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExamining the data more from a provincial perspective, the second leading province is the Eastern Cape with 1 869 drownings reported for the period. It is followed by Gauteng,\u201d she adds <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The age category where drowning is most prevalent is the 0-4 year age group. This finding is supported by international research, according to the NSRI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) with regards to drowning prevention among preschool children further indicates that there are concerns about drownings among 0-4 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NSRI says that the message this festive season is to supervise your children diligently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNotably, the data in the study is based on reported fatal drownings, so it is possible the number of South African drownings could be more.\u201d The reasons for drowning are not reported and hence this is not included in the report. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith the festive season upon us, we are urging extreme caution to South Africans who will be making their way to the coast to not drink and swim, supervise children in and around the water and ensure that you know the emergency number,\u201d Fortuin explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A study of fatal drownings recently revealed that drownings occurred more frequently in freshwater in South Africa during 2016 \u2013 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