title: Drowning--a scientometric analysis and data acquisition of a constant global problem employing density equalizing mapping and scientometric benchmarking procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drowning is a constant global problem which claims approximately half a million victims worldwide each year, whereas the number of near-drowning victims is considerably higher. Public health strategies to reduce the burden of death are still limited. While research activities in the subject drowning grow constantly, yet there is no scientometric evaluation of the existing literature at the present time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study uses classical bibliometric tools and visualizing techniques such as density equalizing mapping to analyse and evaluate the scientific research in the field of drowning. The interpretation of the achieved results is also implemented in the context of the data collection of the WHO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All studies related to drowning and listed in the ISI-Web of Science database since 1900 were identified using the search term "drowning". Implementing bibliometric methods, a constant increase in quantitative markers such as number of publications per state, publication language or collaborations as well as qualitative markers such as citations were observed for research in the field of drowning. The combination with density equalizing mapping exposed different global patterns for research productivity and the total number of drowning deaths and drowning rates respectively. Chart techniques were used to illustrate bi- and multilateral research cooperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides the first scientometric approach that visualizes research activity on the subject of drowning. It can be assumed that the scientific approach to this topic will achieve even greater dimensions because of its continuing actuality.
authors: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Groneberg
authors: Ute
authors: U
authors: Schilling
authors: Cristian
authors: C
authors: Scutaru
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Uibel
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Zitnik
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Mueller
authors: Doris
authors: D
authors: Klingelhoefer
authors: Beatrix
authors: B
authors: Kloft
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods*; D015706:Bibliometrics; D004332:Drowning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015701:Near Drowning / Q000453:epidemiology