Background Globally, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury/ death after traffic injuries and sudden deaths. As per the Global report on drowning- preventing, WHO (2014) – approximately 372000 people die from drowning (worldwide) every year.

Study objectives

1. To conduct a community based survey of three districts of Bihar.

   1. To estimate the drowning magnitude among population

   2. To identify the risk factors associated with drowning

   3. To gain an in-depth understanding of people’s perceptions of the causes of drowning and also to explore their concepts of prevention measures

Study design and sample size Cross sectional study of around 485 participants

Methodology A survey tool was prepared by group of experts

The identified/selected field surveyors were trained on the tool through online method. The project manager monitored the conduction of survey, compilation and cleaning of data. Analysis done by SPSS software

Results and Discussion Survey in the three districts of Bihar included 485 participants , among which 260 were males and 225 females. Nearest natural water source near household is river for majority (140) followed by pond (118). Nearest man made water source was tube well (81) followed by canal (72). Hand pump was the main source of drinking water for 461 participants. 270 participants had experienced flood 10 times in the area over last 10 years. As per 314 participants, there was no disaster management authority in the area. Though in majority of the families (271) children are not left unsupervised during day, 162 families do leave. Though majority of the children (277) play near the houses, 272 have water bodies within 2 km proximity of the play area, thereby posing a threat. Majority (171) had no provision for a safe place to keep the unsupervised children away from water bodies.

Conclusion Safe daycare facilities of children should be the priority in the districts of Bihar where unsupervised children are at a high risk of drowning.