@article{ref1,
title="Urban minority youth swimming (in)ability in the United States and associated demographic characteristics: toward a drowning prevention plan",
journal="Injury prevention",
year="2009",
author="Irwin, C. C. and Irwin, R. L. and Ryan, T. D. and Drayer, J.",
volume="15",
number="4",
pages="234-239",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To examine swimming ability and variables associated with swimming for US inner-city, minority children. Empirical research on minority children's swimming ability is non-existent, and drowning rates for this population are high. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey research. Descriptive statistics were produced. Multiple regression was applied using significant demographic variables by swimming ability. SETTING: Six US cities were chosen (Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; Oakland, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) facilities were used to solicit subjects. SUBJECTS: A large sample (n = 1680) was gathered, which targeted poor, minority children. Parents of children aged 4-11 years and adolescents (12-17 years) completed surveys that research team members or trained YMCA staff supervised during non-swimming YMCA programmes. RESULTS: African-American respondents reported a 57.5% &quot;at risk&quot; (unable to swim or uncomfortable in deep end of pool) swimming ability. Hispanic/Latino children confirmed a 56.2% &quot;at risk&quot; level as compared with 30.9% for white subjects. Age, sex, child's lunch programme, parental education and race variables were all significantly (p<0.05) related to swimming ability. Regression analysis revealed that all demographic variables fell into a significant model (p<0.001) as predictor variables. CONCLUSIONS: Poor minority children, specifically African-American and Hispanic/Latino, are at a significant disadvantage concerning swimming ability. Female subjects were notably more &quot;at risk&quot; regarding their swimming ability than male subjects. Age, race and socioeconomic factors (lunch programme and parental education) were significantly associated with children who have low swimming ability.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1353-8047",
doi="10.1136/ip.2008.020461",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2008.020461"
}