Water safety awareness, swimming ability and drowning prevention behaviour in Malaysian adolescents: a sex-based analysis

Abstract

This study explored water safety awareness, swimming ability and drowning prevention behaviour among Malaysian adolescents aged 13-17. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 525 secondary school students (278 boys and 247 girls) from five regions in Malaysia. Data collected through a self-administrated online survey (modified water safety and drowning prevention questionnaire) using Google Form. Both sexes demonstrated similar awareness levels of drowning dangers identification and water safety tasks and rules. Most of the respondents were categorised as non-swimmers. Notably, 57% of them could not swim while a quarter could swim less than 50 meters. Only 17% claimed adequate swimming ability. Boys demonstrated significantly higher swimming ability compared to girls, though girls reflected better safety practices with a lower risk in swimming: alone/unsupervised, in prohibited areas and in unknown water depth. These findings provide additional knowledge in educational policies to develop impactful lifelong drowning prevention programs in Malaysia.