Abstract

Background: Large numbers of people still drown even though swimming classes and safety measures are available in many countries. Morbidity and mortality associated with drowning is preventable, thereby an effort is made to develop awareness of risk factors in and around the water to prevent drowning. This autopsy based study is conducted to describe the frequency and socio-demographic factors of fatal drowning in Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design: Autopsy-based descriptive cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Mortuaries of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Civil Hospital and AbbasiShaheed Hospital Karachi from 1stJanuary 2013 to 31stDecember 2018

Methodology: A total of 13,864 autopsies were conducted during the autopsy period, out of which details of drowning death were collected. The demographic information like age, gender, year-wise distribution of cases, season of the year, time and day of the week were recorded. The police papers and crime scene reports were also collected to confirm the case as drowning.

Results: Prevalence rate of drowning was 0.76% as 106 cases out of 13, 864 autopsies were identified to be the victims of drowning. There were 88(83.01 %) males and 18(16.98%) females. Male’s predominance was seen in all range of ages. Mean age was 30.08±15.81. Half of the victims belong to the age group 21 to 40 year of age. Most frequent day was Monday and summer was the season of peak incidents of drowning. Mostly the dead bodies were brought at night.

Conclusions: Young males are the main victims of fatal drowning which guides the government and policy makers to develop preventive countermeasures for the target population. Summer in Karachi is the time when people visit beaches requiring strict surveillance and employment of additional lifeguards.

Key Words: Drowning, Morbidity, Mortality, Summer season