Accidental drownings in Poland in 2000-2012

Abstract

Objective: Drowning is a public health problem which is poorly recognized and analyzed in the Polish literature so far.

Material and methods: We analyzed all available sources of information on drowning in Poland, i.e. the data of the Central Statistical Office (causes of deaths, accidents at work) and Police Headquarters (circumstances of drowning). We discussed changes in drowning frequency, analyzing both time and space perspective as well as demographic profiles of fatal drowning cases.

Results: In 2000-2012, an estimated 12,702 persons died due to drowning in Poland (median of crude mortality rate - 2.6 per 100,000 population). Mortality due to drowning was on downward trend. Males aged 45-59 years, especially with vocational education, were at the highest risk of drowning. In the period analyzed, the highest and the lowest mortality rates were reported in Warmińsko-mazurskie (median of mortality rate - 4.7) and Śląskie voivodships (median of mortality rate - 1.2), respectively. The highest drowning frequency was noted in the period from June to August in which a total of 5,981 cases were registered, i.e. 47.1% of all recorded drownings.

Conclusions: A risk of death due to drowning in Poland is higher compared to the average in other EU countries. There is a necessity for public health intervention in this field. Furthermore, reporting systems regarding drowning in Poland should be unified.