Epidemiology of drowning in Isfahan province, center of Iran

BACKGROUND: Drowning is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. We studied drowning deaths in Isfahan province, focusing on the activity victims were involved in and the setting of the incident. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was done on all drowning deaths referred to Legal Medicine Organization of Isfahan province over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. RESULTS: During these 5 years, 355 persons suffered fatal drowning in Isfahan province. The annual incidence rate was 1.6 per 100000 population (2.6 & 0.4 for males and females, respectively). Mean age was 21.99 ± 14.86 and M/F ratio was 6.5:1. Most victims were 15-24 and 5-14 years of age (172 and 62 decedents, 3.0 and 1.8 per 100000 popula-tion/year, respectively). Most incidents occurred in natural settings, of which rivers, canals, lakes and ponds were the most common sites, respectively. The most frequently connected activity was swimming and wading, followed by accidental fall into water. The manner of death was found as following: 85.1% accidental, 1.7% suicidal, 0.3% homicidal and 12.9% undetermined. CONCLUSIONS: Although the drowning related mortality in Isfahan province is comparable to developed countries, effective prevention of drowning with better programming and policies might reduce its rate.