Effectiveness of community participation in a surveillance system initiative to prevent drowning in Thailand

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2015 Mar;27(2):NP2677-89. doi: 10.1177/1010539513502522. Epub 2013 Oct 30.

Abstract

This study had a 2-group pre-post quasiexperimental design and was conducted in 2 selected areas of Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. The objective was to evaluate the extent to which the surveillance system that was developed helped in drowning prevention. The development process involved extensive participation from the community. System efficiency was evaluated, and the drowning rates were compared. The system demonstrated 82.8% system sensitivity and 87% positive-predictive value. There were 90.0% rescues with no injury during the study period. The relative risk of drowning injury suggests that the control area was at 5.6 times more at risk for drowning injury than the intervention area (95% CI = 1.58, 20.12). Local knowledge and participation from the community were found to be key issues in the success of the surveillance system, and such systems can be applied to other areas with similar problems.

Keywords: Thailand; community participation; effectiveness; prevent drowning; surveillance system.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Community Participation / methods*
  • Drowning / prevention & control*
  • Health Education / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Public Health Surveillance / methods*
  • Safety*
  • Thailand / epidemiology