Marte Perez - Safe Kids Worldwide

Cutcut Creek Project:A Response to the Prevention ofChild Drowning in the PhilippinesAuthors: Ma. Theresa A. PerezAmalia RolloqueRafael Consunji, MDSKW 2013 Annual ConferenceGaylord Resort Hotel, Maryland, USAJune 21, 2013

Safe Kids PhilippinesAn NGOVision: to prevent unintentionalinjuries in children 14 years old& belowSince 2004Uses 3Es as frameworkStrong advocacies on InjuryPrevention worldwide

BackgroundDrowning – the 2 nd leadingcause of death in FilipinochildrenKills more children than TB,malnutrition, diarrhea, canceror meningitis

BackgroundRankingDROWNING: 2 nd leading cause of death for children 1-14 y.o.1 in 30 Filipino kids’ deaths isfrom DROWNING (Kid = 0-14 years old)1 in 20 Filipino toddlers’ deaths isfrom DROWNING (Toddler = 1-4 years old)

Background‣ Through the study period, 1963-2003, drowningmortality rates have remained largely unchanged,belying its under- recognition as a public health priority.‣ At least 10.5% of drowning deaths can be attributed tomaritime disasters.‣ Children are invisible victims of maritime disasters (i.e.periodical accounts only present aggregate sums ofcasualties)‣ Boys age 1-4 years are nearly twice more likely to diefrom drowning when compared to girls of the same agegroup (1.5 times).

Number of deathsMV VIVA ANTIPOLO VII 62MV KIMELODY CRISTY 37MB NICKADEL 4MV PENAFRANCIA 2ML GRETCHEN I 51MB DAVID JUNIOR 7FB ANNIE PAULINE 4MV KALIBO STAR 30KING ROGERS 91MB FISH HUNTER 3MV NILODE-A 19MV MARIA CARMELA 45BackgroundReported Maritime DisastersProportion of drowning deaths attributable to selected maritime disasters3200(Philippines 1988-2003)2700220017001200700MV DON JUAN 295MV SAN JUAN 52MV DOÑA JOSEFA 150MV DOÑA PAZ 1641MV DOÑA MARILYN 500MV CEBU CITY 142MV PRINCESS OF THE ORIENT 150MV ASIA SOUTH KOREA 58ML AMAHADA 136MV SAN NICOLAS 6420019801981 1986 1987 1988 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20002002 2003Other causes of drowning deathsMaritime disaster casualties

BackgroundCommunity Survey Results• Over 90% of drowning incidents result in death.• 80% of drowning deaths happen to males.• Children make up 45.1% of all victims.• Most common site for drowning: open water (sea, lake, riverand creeks) in 77% of drowning cases in Los Baños & IliganCity.• Observed risk factors for drowning in children:● lack of adult supervision;● absence of precautionary barriers & signs in risky areas;● lack of swimming skills in the victims.• Under-reporting due to local burial customs.

Cutcut CreekSKP Response for Drowning PreventionWorked with WHO, DOH & other stakeholdersImplemented the Cutcut Creek Project

Cutcut Creek ProjectImplementationHandled site assessmentCalled for stakeholders/parents’meetingInterviewed parents and childrenBuilt a wire fence around jump offpoint of childrenPlaced No Swimming signs

Cutcut CreekResults/OutcomesChildren interview results• 85% were males• 77% of kids lived within the neighborhood• 100% thought the creek was dirtyUnpleasant experiences of children• 59% got sick• 41% spanked by parents• 32% scolded by othersPleasant experiences• 50% really enjoyed swimming and fishing• Not paying entrance fees to swim

Cutcut CreekResults/OutcomesLack of awareness of drowning prevention amongbarangay officialsFatalistic attitude of parentsChildren would swim when it rained and creek fills up86% of kids would comply with No Swimming signagebut 14% would look for other swimming holes nearby85% of kids recognized objections of their parents toswimming in the creek

Significance/Contribution to theFieldProvided initial community-based data on attitudes ofparents and children on drowningDemonstrated the lack of awareness on drowning as aleading cause of death to children and the need foradvocacy and IEC materials on this issueShowed that a physical barrier significantly stopschildren from accessing the creek