Knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) and the environmental determinants of drowning among students in Yantian District of Shenzhen

Objective To understand knowledge,attitude and practice (KAP) towards drowning among students in Shenzhen,and to explore environmental determinants of drowning and to provide basis for the prevention and control strategies of drowning.Methods Random cluster sampling method was used to select students from grade 3 to 5 from six primary schools and grade 7 and 8 from two secondary schools in Yantian District of Shenzhen.Questionnaire survey was implemented to collect information regarding drowning.Results About 6.56% of 3 875 students fully understand knowledge on drowning.Middle school students' knowledge about drawning level was higher than the pupils(x2 =29.30,P<0.01) Nearly 89.16% were accurate on the question of "If the dangerous waters have a danger warning sign whether to play or swim";68.96% for the question "Will you go swimming with friends in the absence of accompanied by an adult?".Male adolescents have higher risk in terms of higher negative beliefs and attitudes towards high-risk drowning behaviors(x2 =35.77,38.32,45.96,P<0.01).52.61% of students reported a swimming pool or pond around their house.Dangerous waters around the envirunment were important risk factors for adolescent drawning(P<0.01).Conclusion Enhanced understanding of the risks of natural water body would help to reduce drowning among children and adolescents.Dangerous waters around the envirunment should be transformed.