RESEARCH:
The characteristics of drowning among different types of international visitors to Australia and how this contributes to their drowning risk
UNIVERSITY OR ORGANISATION: James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Royal Life Saving Society Australia
SUBJECT: Data & Statistics
TYPE: Article
DATE: 2023
Australia is a popular destination for international visitors. This study reviews international visitor drowning deaths in Australia and analyses drowning by visitor type.
A total population retrospective study exploring drowning deaths of international visitors was conducted between 2008 and 2018. Data were extracted from the Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database and categorised into four subgroups: overseas tourists, international students, working holiday makers and work-related visitors. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and relative risk (RR) were calculated.
In total, 201 international visitors drowned in Australia, 7% of all drowning deaths. Most deaths were males (79%) and people aged 18–34 years (50%). Visitors frequently drowned at beaches (33%), and when swimming (41%). Thirty-five percent recorded a pre-existing medical condition. Overseas tourists on holiday were the most likely to drown compared to other subgroups.
COUNTRY
Australia
AUTHORS
Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon
Lauren Miller
Peter A. Leggat
Amy E. Peden
Robert W. Brander
Jeff Wilks
Richard C. Franklin
JOURNAL / PUBLICATION
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
RESPONDENTS
International visitors to Australia
KEY WORDS
drowning
risk profile
injury prevention
epidemiology
tourists
ACTIVITY
Swimming
Surfing
ENVIRONMENT
Ocean
Beaches
AGE
N/A
GENDER
Male / Female
ETHNICITY
International visitors to Australia
