Profile of drowning deaths in Mangalore, a coastal city of Karnataka

Background: It is estimated that 1,50,000 people die all over the world in this manner every year. Lack of reliable statistical data concerning the drowning death in costal Karnataka has motivated us to conduct this study. Objectives: To study the incidence of drowning in costal Karnataka. To analyze and quantity of the magnitude of death from drowning and to provide epidemiological data, so that, preventive measures can be undertaken. Method: A retrospective study was done from 1999 to 2004. Results: Following observations were made as. (i) Drowning mortality rate in costal Karnataka is as high as 15.15/lakh population. (ii) Males are at higher risk of drowning death than females. (iii) Maximum number of drowning victims were of age group 31-40 years (iv) Most likely locations of for drowning are river, well/pond, sea/beach and lake respectively. (v) incidence of drowning death increased during rainy season. CONCLUSION: Preventive measures should be taken to prevent drowning death since drowning death in costal Karnataka is much more than the average global drowning mortality rate.