James Kalougivaki
Globally drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional mortality. Low and middle-income countries have the highest rates of drowning; and island countries surrounded by water have considerable attribution of deaths due to drowning.
This study uses the records of the Forensic Pathology Unit in Fiji to establish trends and ascertain high-risk groups associated with drowning mortality. In addition, the medical cause of death certificates (MCDC) from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services were utilized to provision validations and provide additional foresight where epidemiological trends needed to be established.
In this study many high risk groups and patterns were identified. The high risk groups identified included the age group from 0 to 29 years of age, the male gender group and the iTaukei and the Fijians of other Descent, also emphasis on water safety and drowning prevention for the Eastern and Western division of Fiji to reduce the high fatal drowning rates. Drowning remains a preventable cause of mortality and everyone must be involved in the prevention of fatal drowning.
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Journal of Forensic Medicine received 165 citations as per Google Scholar report
