Publication: Drowning risk perceptions among rural guardians of Thailand: A community-based household survey
2
Issued Date
2014-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
17412889
13674935
13674935
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-84901286926
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Child Health Care. Vol.18, No.2 (2014), 168-177
Suggested Citation
Orapin Laosee, Jiraporn Khiewyoo, Ratana Somrongthong Drowning risk perceptions among rural guardians of Thailand: A community-based household survey. Journal of Child Health Care. Vol.18, No.2 (2014), 168-177. doi:10.1177/1367493513485477 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/34716
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Thesis
Title
Drowning risk perceptions among rural guardians of Thailand: A community-based household survey
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Abstract
Drowning is one of the most common causes of death among young children in Thailand. Children in primary school in rural settings have a high rate of fatal drowning. Guardians' perceptions are important since children are normally in their care. This study aims to describe drowning risk perceptions of guardians and to identify barriers to developing a child's swimming skills. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among guardians of children who attended 12 schools serving 48 villages in a rural community. The results revealed that less than one-fifth (18%) of children in the household could swim. Guardians reported that children should learn to swim at the age of seven years. About one-quarter (23%) of guardians did not perceive drowning as the leading cause of death among children. More than a quarter (25.4%) perceived that their child was not at the risk of drowning. No statistical differences were reported on drowning perception among guardians with different swimming skills as well as child's swimming skill. Significantly more parents of children who could not swim perceived lack of swimming instructors, clean water and school swimming lessons as barriers to a child's acquisition of swimming skill. The results highlight the need to consider improving the infrastructure in rural areas to facilitate swimming skills for school children to reduce drowning risk. © The Author(s) 2013.