AN EVALUATION OF CASES OF DROWNING PRESENTING TO THE KARADENIZ TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY MEDICAL FACULTY ADULT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Abstract

 Aim

To perform a descriptive study of presentations of drowning to the emergency department using demographic and clinical parameters.

Method

In this retrospective study, demographic and clinical data for cases presenting to the Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Adult Emergency Department due to drowning in 2007-2017 were recorded from patients’ records. Conclusions and statistical data are presented.

Results 

Drowning was most common among males (74.5%), at age 30 or less (59.6%), in summer (76.6%) and in salt waters (85.1%). Eleven patients from the 47 cases died. In terms of mortality, no difference was determined between drowning in salt or fresh water, male and female gender, ability or inability to swim, age below or over 30 or between the seasons (p > 0.05). 

 

 

Conclusion:

The findings from this study show that drowning is most common among males, at age 30 or below, in the summer months and in salt water. The main reasons for the higher level of drownings in salt water may be that people in Trabzon prefer to swim in the sea, the lack of large expanses of agricultural land, water channels and ponds not generally being used for irrigation, swimming pools lacking popularity and not being widely available, and that due to its rather unusual natural character the Black Sea is relatively less well suited to swimming than other seas.

 Key words: Emergency, drowning, demographics, salt water, fresh water, Black Sea 

Keywords

• AN EVALUATION OF CASES OF DROWNING PRESENTING TO THE KARADENIZ TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY MEDICAL FACULTY ADULT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Kaynakça

1. Yrd. Doç. Dr. Özgür TATLI*, Arş. Gör. Dr. Yasin EROL*, Arş. Gör. Dr. İrem DİLAVER**, Prof. Dr. Murat TOPBAŞ**
2. *Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Emergency Department ** Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Public Health Department