Community-Based Drowning Prevention Research and Programming Among Lakeside Communities in Uganda
*Presenting author
Samyu Padisetti*, Kyra Guy, Ava Ritchie, Peninah Tumuhimbise, Moses Kalanzi, Heather Wipfli
BACKGROUND
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
-
Drowning is the third leading cause of death from unintentional injury worldwide, with rural fishing communities in Uganda facing a disproportionate burden.
-
To address this gap, the Global Research, Implementation, and Training (GRIT) Lab has partnered with the Ugandan government and other stakeholders to implement a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy consisting of community-based research, educational programming, and policy support.
OBJECTIVES:
-
Increase investment in research, water safety education, survival swimming training, and drowning prevention infrastructure within lakeside communities
-
Advocate for national and district-level policies aimed at drowning prevention
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
​
1. Community Health Assessment: In the summer of 2022, program partners carried out a mixed-methods community health assessment evaluating current drowning prevention interventions within 10 landing sites of Mayuge district Eastern Uganda. Head-of-household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were conducted.
2. Youth Water Safety Camps: Program partners hold an annual Splash Safe Camp training 100s of Ugandan youth in water safety, drowning prevention, first aid and water rescue, and water polo. Camp participants are youth aged 9-15 attending school in communities around Lake Victoria.
3. Community First Aid and Water Rescue Trainings: program partners have conducted multiple Youth Drowning Prevention Ambassadors in Mayuge district and Buvuma Island districts. Trainings have included community drowning prevention strategies, survival swimming, aquatic rescue, and pre-hospital care and were designed to complement Boat Ambulances recently procured by the Ugandan Ministry of Health.
4. World Drowning Prevention Day: WDPD program partners hold an annual World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD) event inviting key stakeholders to raise awareness and promote drowning prevention initiatives. Held in Kampala, WDPD showcases exhibition water polo matches, water rescue, first aid demonstrations, and testimonies and speeches from community members and major leaders in drowning prevention.
​
Program Partners - Governmental and non-governmental partners have included Ugandan Ministries of Health, Water, and Transport, The Ugandan Swimming Federation, Swim Safe Uganda (SSU), Uganda Scouts Association, Reach A Hand Uganda, and Energy In Action (EIA)
CONCLUSIONS
​
- Future priorities in drowning prevention include continued training of school-age children and young adults in water safety skills, additional community assessments and data collection of drowning risks and awareness in lakeside communities and strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders and local organizations.
- Further research and capacity-building related to infrastructure development, emergency response capacity, and community behaviors on drowning are necessary to empower local communities with water safety knowledge, survival skills, and resources.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge Energy in Action (EIA) staff members and Makerere University students, including Emmanuel Balinda, Cecilia Alonyo, Abdul Wagwa, Yesigomwe Kennedy, Amperize Mathias, Muvunyi Joseph, and Edward Mukuye, as well as the Swim Safe Uganda (SSU) staff, including Mathius Kabuubi, for their contributions to the data collection process. Finally, the authors would like to thank public health students from the Global Research, Implementation, and Training Lab (USC GRIT Lab) at the University of Southern California.