Logo image
Back
The characteristics of drowning among different types of international visitors to Australia and how this contributes to their drowning risk
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The characteristics of drowning among different types of international visitors to Australia and how this contributes to their drowning risk

Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon, Lauren Miller, Peter A. Leggat, Amy Peden, Robert W. Brander, Jeff Wilks and Richard C. Franklin
Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Vol.47(3), 100050
06/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100050
PMID: 37117115
pdf
The characteristics of drowning among different types of international visitors to Australia and how this contributes to their drowning risk735.70 kBDownloadView
In PressCC BY-NC-ND V4.0,  Open Access
url
The characteristics of drowning among different types of international visitors to Australia and how this contributes to their drowning riskView
In PressCC BY-NC-ND V4.0,  Open

Related links

Metrics

233 File views/ downloads
84 Record Views
11 Times Cited - Web of Science

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

Abstract

drowning epidemiology injury prevention risk profile tourists
Objective Australia is a popular destination for international visitors. This study reviews international visitor drowning deaths in Australia and analyses drowning by visitor type. Methods A total population retrospective study exploring drowning deaths of international visitors was conducted between 2008 and 2018. Data were extracted from the Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database and categorised into four subgroups: overseas tourists, international students, working holiday makers and work-related visitors. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and relative risk (RR) were calculated. Results In total, 201 international visitors drowned in Australia, 7% of all drowning deaths; a crude drowning rate of 0.27/100,000 visitors versus 0.95/100,000 for residents (RR=0.19 [95% CI: 0.16–0.22]). Most deaths were males (79%) and people aged 18–34 years (50%). Visitors frequently drowned at beaches (33%), and when swimming (41%). Thirty-five percent recorded a pre-existing medical condition. Overseas tourists on holiday were the most likely to drown compared to other subgroups. Conclusion International visitors represent a small but increasing proportion of people drowning in Australia. The circumstances of which visitors drown vary by travel purpose, age, country of origin, location of drowning and activity. Implications for public health International visitors have unique safety needs, requiring tailored prevention based on the purpose of travel and country of origin.

Details

Logo image