Category: 3-Health Systems, Non-Communicable Diseases, Public Health,

Primary and Surgical Care - Program/Project Abstract

Abstract N°: 889

'Anyone Can Drown, No One Should’: A Community-Based, Youth Centered Model for Drowning Prevention in
Uganda

Balinda E.1;2

Guy K.2;3

Ritchie A.2;3

Muvunyi J.2

Mukuye E.2

Padisetti S.3

Ballard H.3

Kalanzi M.4

Wipfli H.2;3

1
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, 2Energy in Action, Kampala, Uganda, 3USC Global Research,
Implementation, and Training Lab, Los Angeles, California, United States, 4Swim Safe Uganda, Kampala, Uganda

Background:

In the past decade, drowning has been the cause of over 2.5 million preventable deaths. African nations, including
Uganda, are disproportionately affected by drownings, with one of the most at-risk groups being children and
adolescents. Despite its detrimental impact, there is a lack of awareness and recognition of drowning as a public health
threat. To reduce the burden of drowning on Ugandan communities, a coalition consisting of leading governmental and
nongovernmental organizations working in drowning prevention throughout Uganda have collaborated on a program of
activities focused on formative research, water safety and learn-to-swim education, investment in drowning prevention
infrastructure for lakeside communities, and policy advocacy throughout the country. This paper describes and
assesses the primary goals of the coalition’s activities.

Methods:

Coalition activities have included a community health assessment evaluating current drowning prevention interventions
in eastern Uganda, community first responder trainings, implementation of youth drowning prevention ambassador
programs, facilitation of youth learn to swim camps, and national policy advocacy events, including Uganda’s first in-
person World Drowning Day event in July 2022. Program evaluation assessments are given following training
workshops to gather feedback about opportunities for future improvement.

Findings:

Initial research findings have indicated a lack of access to emergency response services and knowledge of first
aid/water safety among lakeside communities. The coalition has trained over 90 community-based first responders to
date and youth educational programs have shown great promise, with adolescents reporting a 45% increase in
comfortability related to swimming, knowledge of recognizing drowning victims, and ability to teach others about water
safety post participation. World Drowning Prevention Day 2022 received national press and sparked increased
engagement by policymakers from multiple sectors.

Interpretation:

Mobilization of resources for drowning prevention continues to be a challenge in Uganda, although the recent
movement towards adoption of a national drowning prevention strategy is promising. Future coalition priorities include
carrying out additional community assessments and data collection of drowning risks and awareness, implementing
capacity building programming, and advocating for national and district-level drowning prevention policies.
Source of Funding:

All consortium partners contribute to funding of activities.