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Citation
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Morgan ER, Hitchcock W, Sakamoto I, Stempski S, Rivara F, Vavilala M, Quan L. J. Adolesc. Health 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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PURPOSE: Describe use of drowning prevention strategies among diverse adolescents.
METHODS: We analyzed 47,051 responses to 2012-2018 Washington statewide surveys of 8th-12th grade students, regarding formal swimming lessons, comfort in deep water (a measure of perceived water competency), and life jacket use in small watercraft. Using survey-weighted Poisson regression, we measured these strategies in relation to race/ethnicity, primary language, maternal education, and urbanicity.
RESULTS: 78.6% of students spoke English at home. Most students reported having had formal swimming lessons (62.2%), being comfortable in deep water (65.8%), and wearing life jackets (58.5%). Students primarily speaking Spanish (11.2%) reported formal swimming lessons (PR: 0.72; 95%CI: 0.67-0.78) and perceived water competency (PR: 0.75; 95%CI: 0.70-0.80) less often than primarily English-speaking. All prevention strategies were associated with higher maternal education.
CONCLUSIONS: Drowning prevention strategies, access to swimming lessons, life jackets, and water competency should be promoted among low-income children and those whose primary language is not English.
Language: en |