Cutcut project: a response to the prevention of child drowning in the Philippines

Abstract

Background Drowning is the second leading cause of death for Filipino children 1–14-years-old. It kills more children than tuberculosis, malnutrition, diarrhoea, cancer or meningitis. 31% of all injury deaths among children 14-years-old and below are caused by drowning. Aims/Objectives/Purpose To be able to get data from local and national sources that will help develop widespread drowning prevention programmes and interventions in the country. Methods Safe Kids Philippines conducted a survey questionnaire on children to show their attitudes and perceptions on swimming and playing in Cutcut Creek, considered a dangerous waterway by the community. Results/Outcomes Children admitted to swimming in the creek without their parents' knowledge and permission. 59% disclosed that they would swim in the creek when it would swell after it rained. Data showed that 11 or 85% were males while only two (2) or 15% were females whose ages ranged from 5 to 14-years-old. Of those who did not swim in the creek, four (4) were males and four (4) were females; six belonged to ages 5 to 9 and only two (2) were 10 to 14 years of age. To prevent the children from going into the creek, SKP put permanent barriers and donated warning signs to the community. Significance/Contribution to the Field The endeavour of Safe Kids Philippines is a contribution in compliance to the Regional Framework for Action on Injury and Violence Prevention of 2008–2013 initiated by the DOH which has identified drowning prevention as a priority issue.