Background The drowning in children from 1 to 4 years old is a public health problem worldwide which ranks first and second in mortality by injuries. In Mexico it was the primary cause from 2010 to 2012. In Jalisco, underground cistern represents the body of water where 57% of drowning occurs in children under 5. This study aims at analysing the risk factors of drowning in cisterns in children between 1 and 4 years old residents of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara (ZMG), Jalisco, Mexico.

Methods Case studies and controls conducted in children between 1–4 years, who died by drowning in the cisterns of the house (cases) and children of the same age, neighbours of victims (controls). Age and sex of the child were studied; parental characteristics; housing and water cisterns. Analysis was conducted using percentages, Odds ratio, Fisher exact test and multiple regression.

Results 29 deaths by drowning in cisterns in children between 1 and 4 years residents of the GMA. 119 controls. Age of cases showed an OR 3.2 and 2.2 in children aged 2 and 3, with respect to 4. Gender predominance of men. The majority of parents are aged between 20 and 29 and with middle school education or lower. Households have domiciliary services and incomplete finish techiques (cases); better conditions in controls. Cisterns without metal cover uninsured OR of 5.3 and 2.5, respectively; cover located in space passing through the households OR 3.5 (cases). Manual water extraction pump in cases regarding controls gave a P <= 0.002, statistically significant.

Conclusions The absence of an electric pump is statistically associated with mortality from drowning in the study group. Not having metal lid and the safety of it, keeping it uncovered and its location inside the house, also demonstrates the relationship with drowning but without statistical significance.