Unintentional drowning cases in the West Nusa Tenggara Indonesia: The burden and preventive measures

Unintentional drowning cases is the issue in every archipelagic country. The prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of unintentional drowning between 2020 – July 2022 in West Nusa Tenggara Indonesia is studied in this study. A descriptive study, collecting on-line news about drowning, sinking ship in West Nusa Tenggara was gathered and analyzed. As much as 70 unintentional drowning cases: 56 salt water and 14 salt water cases. It consists of 63 males and 7 females, with mean of age 28.32 years old (1-57). The decease rate is higher in fresh water rather than salt water (12/14 vs 13/56). Vulnerable age group 1-15 in fresh water and 16 and older in salt water. Major risk factor of drowning in freshwater are lack-poor swimming skills, unattended children and undesignated swimming sites, while in saltwater is poor boating skills. In conclusion, the majority drowning cases occurred in salt water, with high deceased/missing rate higher in fresh water rather than salt water. The vulnerable age group for fresh water cases is between 1-15 years old, while in salt water cases is 16 and older. Preventive measure should be taken, starting with most feasible record and analyze drowning cases to address effective actions that is suitable for specific open water setting.