Drowning--a major but neglected child health problem in rural Bangladesh: implications for low income countries.
This study was intended to estimate the magnitude and explore the determinants of childhood drowning in rural Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey as well as a population-based case - control study was conducted. By multistage cluster sampling 51 147 children aged 1 - 4 years were identified from 108 827 rural households. All drownings in children aged 1 - 4 years in the preceding 5 years were identified and recruited as cases and two living children of the same age group were selected from the same localities as controls. Socio-economic, demographic, environmental and other related information was collected from mothers of both cases and controls by face-to-face interview with the help of structured questionnaires. The incidence of drowning among children aged 1 - 4 years old was 156.4 per 100 000 children-year. The highest rate (328.1 per 100 000; 95% CI 254.8 - 421.7) was observed in 1 year old male children. The proportional mortality due to drowning in the children was 27.9%. Mothers' age and literacy and family income were identified as risk factors. Drowning is one of the major causes of 1 - 4 years childhood mortality in Bangladesh. One-year-old male children from poor families were at great risk of drowning in rural Bangladesh.
Rahman
A
A
Institute of Child and Mother Health, Matuail, Dhaka, 1362, Bangladesh. aminur@bdonline.com
Giashuddin
S M
SM
Svanström
L
L
Rahman
F
F
D017677:Age Distribution; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004332:Drowning / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors