Child drowning and associated risk factors: Findings from a qualitative study in Bangladesh

Md Al-Mamun; Morshed Alam; Md Jamal Hossain; Mst Rukaia Khatun; Pranto Kumer Das; Falguni Alam; Md Rabiul Islam; Foyez Ahmed; Md Monirul Islam

doi:10.1002/hsr2.1380

Child drowning and associated risk factors: Findings from a qualitative study in Bangladesh

Health Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 29;6(7):e1380. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1380. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Authors

Md Al-Mamun¹, Morshed Alam², Md Jamal Hossain³, Mst Rukaia Khatun⁴, Pranto Kumer Das¹, Falguni Alam⁵, Md Rabiul Islam⁶, Foyez Ahmed⁷, Md Monirul Islam³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sociology Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University Gopalganj Bangladesh.
² Institute of Education and Research Jagannath University Dhaka Bangladesh.
³ Department of Pharmacy State University of Bangladesh Dhaka Bangladesh.
⁴ Nursing Instructor Seba Nursing Institute Chapainawabganj Bangladesh.
⁵ Marie Stopes Bangladesh Dhaka Bangladesh.
⁶ Department of Pharmacy University of Asia Pacific Dhaka Bangladesh.
⁷ Department of Statistics Comilla University Cumilla Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) has classified drowning as a major public health problem. The most vulnerable victims of drowning are children from low and middle-income countries. Previously, it was the primary cause of death among children aged between 1 and 17 years in Bangladesh.

Aims: This study explored the surrounding circumstances and associated factors of child drownings in Bangladesh.

Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach has been used to conduct the study. Bangladesh was chosen as the study area, and data were gathered using a semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire. Using convenience and snowball sampling methods, we have collected data from Dhaka and seven additional districts in Bangladesh. We reached a total of 44 individuals, where 22 agreed to participate in an interview (face-to-face and online interviews). The remaining 22 participants were selected in two focus group discussions via the web platform "ZOOM cloud meeting."

Results: Our investigation revealed several factors associated with child drowning, including a lack of adequate parental supervision and monitoring, geographic locations and environment, seasonal factors, low living standards, peer pressure and risky behaviors, social stigma and prejudices, and natural disasters and calamities. According to our findings, a lower socioeconomic position is linked to a higher risk of nonfatal drowning. Moreover, this research also indicates a substantial nexus between child drowning fatalities and the socioeconomic conditions of the families of the victims.

Conclusion: The study adds to the existing body of knowledge by underlining the associated factors of child drowning fatalities in Bangladesh, which will aid in developing preventive policies. An essential aspect of any drowning prevention program for Bangladesh should be enhanced for community awareness of safe water rescue and resuscitation practices.

Keywords: Bangladesh; associated factors; child drowning; fatalities; potential interventions.