Epidemiology of drowning in Mazandaran province, north of Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Drowning must be recognized as a major global public health problem with significant opportunities for prevention.


METHODS
To examine the incidence and characteristics of drowning in recreational water settings, we analyzed 2002 to 2006 data from the Legal Medicine Organization of Mazandaran province, north of Iran, through a retrospective study.


RESULTS
During 2002 to 2006, a total of 1107 persons suffered fatal drowning in Mazandaran province. Mean age was 23.65 +/- 11.47 and M/F ratio was 8.4:1. The most common age groups of drowned victims were 20 to 24 and 15 to 19 years (17.0 and 16.1 per 100,000 population/yr, respectively). Children under the age of 15 years comprised 14.2% of all drowning deaths. Unprotected beaches of the Caspian Sea were the locations with the highest number of drowned victims. Most of drowned victims (65.9%) were travelers from other parts of Iran, especially from Tehran. The manner of death was found as following: 95.5% accidental, 3.6% suicidal, 0.3% homicidal, and 0.6% undetermined.


CONCLUSIONS
Mazandaran province has a mean drowning rate 7.6 per 100,000 population-year that is not comparable to the drowning-related mortality in developed countries. Effective prevention of drowning requires programming and policies that address known risk factors.
Saberi Anary
Seyed Hossein
SH
Health Services Management, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Sheikhazadi
Ardeshir
A
Ghadyani
Mohammad Hassan
MH
D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D001494:Baths; D002648:Child; D004332:Drowning / Q000401:mortality*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D045483:Rivers; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013551:Swimming Pools; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult