Evaluating Awareness and Behaviors Surrounding Drowning Prevention Practices in Broward County Florida

Purpose:

Among Florida's 67 Counties, Broward has the highest prevalence of mortality due to drowning and highest morbidity due to near death drowning for children under 4 years of age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the drowning prevention awareness, knowledge and preventive measures of caregivers.

Methods:

Caregivers 18 years of age or older, whose child received services during a pediatric emergency department visit were asked to complete a 7-question survey. Of the 276 total surveys collected; 87 were from residential pool owners.

Results:

The majority of survey participants were parents (91%); 78% of whom were aware of the most likely age group at risk for drowning. When asked about supervision, 48% answered “staying in visual contact at all times” while 42% answered “staying within arm's reach of the child”. More than half (56%) of the participants had not received information from a healthcare provider on precautions to prevent drowning. Of those with residential pools the majority utilize pool safety measures.

Conclusions:

While the majority of survey participants are aware of ages most likely at risk for drowning; there is inconsistency as to how the caregiver supervises a child near water. Effective public health drowning prevention campaigns must convey uniform, clear, uncluttered messages with easy action steps. More than half of the participants were not provided with childhood drowning prevention education by a healthcare provider, which may serve as a cue to action. Finally, drowning prevention measures are being practiced by those parents and homeowners with residential pools.