Exploring the paradox between perception and actual childhood drowning risk: an evidence-based study in Bangladesh - Report - MDSpire

Exploring the paradox between perception and actual childhood drowning risk: an evidence-based study in Bangladesh

  • By

  • Edris Alam

  • Md Mostafizur Rahman

  • Tannin Jeffrey

  • Denboy Kudejira

  • July 2, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Investigating the Discrepancy Between Perceived and Real Childhood Drowning Risks

Overview

This study explores the gap between the perception of drowning risks and actual drowning incidents among children in Bangladesh.

Background

Childhood drowning is a critical public health issue in Bangladesh, particularly affecting rural and island communities. It is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years in many regions, with over 18,000 fatalities annually.

Data Highlights

StatisticValue
Respondents believing drowning is preventable90.37%
Respondents teaching children response techniques5.28%
Respondents lacking rescue knowledge84.47%
Association of childcare center willingness with drowning deaths (aOR)3.69
Geographic awareness disparity (β)-0.04

Key Findings

  • 90.37% of respondents believe drowning is preventable.
  • 5.28% teach their children how to respond during drowning incidents.
  • 84.47% lack knowledge of rescue techniques.
  • Willingness to send children to childcare centers correlates with reported drowning deaths (aOR: 3.69).
  • Geographic and income disparities influence risk perception.

Clinical Implications

Community-based drowning prevention strategies and education on water safety are essential.

Conclusion

The findings reveal a mismatch between perceived and actual drowning risks.

Related Resources & Content

  1. BMC Psychiatry, 2022 -- A Comparative Study of Suicide Rates in Bangladesh: Analyzing Data from Health and Injury Surveys in 2002 and 2015
  2. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2021 -- Development of a prediction model for infant hospitalisation and death using clinical features assessed by community health workers during routine postnatal home visits in Dhaka, Bangladesh
  3. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2021 -- Early neurological and developmental trajectories of infants at high risk of cerebral palsy in Bangladesh: a prospective longitudinal cohort study
  4. Global status report on drowning prevention 2024
  5. 2024 American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Focused Update on Special Circumstances: Resuscitation Following Drowning
  6. The Journal of Infectious Diseases — Reduction in Cryptosporidium-Related Diarrhea Incidence Among Bangladeshi Children Correlates with Enhanced Anti-Cryptosporidium Antibody Avidity
  7. Launch of WHO South-East Asia Regional Status Report on Drowning Prevention
  8. Global status report on drowning prevention 2024
  9. 2024 American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Focused Update on Special Circumstances: Resuscitation Following Drowning: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
  10. Cost-effectiveness analysis of a large-scale crèche intervention to prevent child drowning in rural Bangladesh | Injury Epidemiology | Springer Nature Link
  11. Frontiers | Basic swimming or water safety skills training for drowning prevention in children: an updated systematic review

Original Source(s)

Exploring the paradox between perception and actual childhood drowning risk: an evidence-based study in Bangladesh

  • by Edris Alam, Md Mostafizur Rahman, Tannin Jeffrey, Denboy Kudejira

  • July 2, 2026

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