Swimming pool-related accidents are the most frequent cause of
hospitalisations for near-drowning in Australia-with toddlers and
young children most at risk, according to a new report released
today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Persisting morbidity among hospitalisations for near
drowning, Australia 1997-98 presents national statistics on
the number of hospital admissions for near-drowning, and looks at
cases likely to need ongoing treatment.
The report shows that of the 831 hospital admissions for
near-drowning during 1997-98, 236 were as a result of swimming pool
accidents, with 86% of these involving children aged under 15
years.
Report author Malinda Steenkamp, from the AIHW's National Injury
Surveillance Unit at Flinders University, said adequate pool
fencing and parental supervision were 'still extremely important in
preventing such accidents because three-quarters of swimming
pool-related accidents involved children less than four years
old'.
About 1 in 4 hospital admissions for near-drowning occurred as a
result of water-related sporting or recreational activities. Other
causes included falling into natural water (81 admissions), boating
activities (63), scuba diving-related activities (20), and
water-skiing (11).
Of the 721 estimated incident cases of near-drowning, 35
resulted in ongoing illness, with 33 having either traumatic brain
injury or spinal cord injury. Males accounted for 74% of these
cases.
More than 60% of ongoing illness cases involved people aged
between 10 and 39 years.
20 June 2002
Further information: Malinda Steenkamp, AIHW
National Injury Surveillance Unit,
tel. 08 8374 0970
Media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
phone: 02 6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.