Morbidity Pattern and Usage of Swimming Gear among Swimmers in South India

Swimming is recommended for its several health benefits. However, swimmers are at risk of acquiring several diseases. This could be both due to constant exposure to water and non-usage of swimming gear. This study was hence done to study the morbidities, the usage patterns of swimming gear and its determinant among swimming pool users. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 162 swimmers visiting eight public swimming pools in Mangalore. The minimum sample size of 122 was calculated using the formula Z_α²pq/d², at 95% CI and 15% relative precisions. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule. Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test were used to test association. A p value less than 0.05 was considered a statistically significant association. Swimming caps, goggles, ear plugs, and nose clips were always worn by 121(74.7%), 104(64.2%), 19(11.7%), and 2(1.2%) participants respectively over the past year. The most common self-reported morbidities related to swimming reported in nearly half of the participants were redness and burning sensation in the eyes over the past year. These were significantly more among swimmers who did not always wear goggles, and among occasional swimmers. Burning sensation in the eyes was seen more among those who started swimming ≤1 year ago while redness of the eyes was seen more among those who were swimming for more than 5 years. There was a statistically significant association between not always wearing swimming cap and males, not always wearing goggles, swimming for more than 5 years, occasional swimmers, and swimming for half an hour or less on each occasion in a day over the past year. There was a statistically significant association between not always wearing goggles and occasional swimmers and swimming for half an hour or less on each occasion in a day over the past year. Several participants in this study did not always wear the personal protective swimming gear. This was associated with certain common morbidities and various swimming-related characteristics among the swimmers. Hence there is a need to periodically screen swimmers for various morbidities and to educate them and encourage them to wear swimming gear on every occasion.