Evaluation of a drowning prevention campaign in King County, Washington

Abstract

Objectives - A three year drowning prevention campaign focused on increasing the use of life vests among children 1-14 years old. An evaluation was conducted to determine campaign awareness, change in ownership and use of life vests by children, and predictors of life vest use. Setting - King County, Washington. Methods - Four telephone surveys were conducted with parents before, during, and after the campaign. Results - The campaign was recalled by 50% of families surveyed. From before to after the campaign, reported life vest use by children on docks, beaches, or at pools increased from 20% to 29% (p<0.01) and life vest ownership for children increased from 69% to 75% (p=0.06). Among parents aware of the campaign, reported child life vest use increased from 20% to 34% (p<0.001) and ownership increased from 69% to 80% (p<0.01). Among families unaware of the campaign, neither life vest use nor ownership changed significantly. Children were more often reported to wear life vests if a parent knew of the campaign, was confident fitting the vest, was younger than 40 years, felt the child could not swim well, and owned a life vest for the child. Conclusions - A community-wide drowning prevention campaign resulted in a significant, although modest, increase in reported life vest use and ownership among children.