Pattern of Drowning and its Burden in Northern Provinces of Iran (Gilan and Mazandaran) in 2008

Drowning is a major and serious public health problem in the northern provinces of Iran. It has significant opportunities for prevention. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiological pattern and burden of drowning in northern area f Iran. To examine the incidence and characteristics of drowning in recreational water settings, we analyzed all available data from death registry in 2008 year in Mazandaran and Gilan provinces, located in north of Iran, through a retrospective study. Collective form was based on standard World Health Organization and then the burden of drowning was calculated. During 2008, 158 indigenous (88.6% male and 11.4% female) people from these provinces died due to drowning. The mean age of the drowned was 26.4 (SD=16.2) years. The drowning death rate was 2.9 per 100,000 population in two provinces. Most of cases (85.4%) of drowning occurred in sea and majority of death was in August (29.7 percent). Number of years lost was 4110 equivalent of 76.1 per 100,000 respectively. Most DALYs was seen to age group 10-19 years. It is highly recommended the findings of this project should be considered for any future preventive plan by health authorizes in those provinces.